w 



h LIBRARY O F CONGRES S. 



UNITED STATES OF AMEltICA.fi 



Heart - Breathings 

OR 

The Soul's Desire 

EXPRESSED IN EARNESTNESS. 

A SERIES OF 

fmmts, McYttntions anb Selections 

FOR 

"THE HOME CIRCLE." 
By S. P." GODWIN. 



"Evert sotjl on Earth shall bend the 



unjgaK.yy*-ffikan„ 

1SG7 



t- PHILADELPHIA 

J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO. 
1867. 






Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1867, by 

J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO., 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Eastern District 
of Pennsylvania. 



Lippincott's Press, 
Philadelphia. 



LC Control Number 




tmp96 027861 



PREFACE. 



IN presenting this unpretending little volume to 
the reader, extended remarks would be superflu- 
ous. 

These impromptu Heart-breathings (expressed in 
the fear and love of the Lord, without regard to crit- 
icism,) are but the soul's earnest desire to do good 
and to receive good — "To dwell in the secret places 
of the Most High, and abide under the shadow of the 
Almighty'' — the result is with God. 

Should a single word or a brief sentence herein 
contained reflect but one ray of sunshine, to illumin- 
ate a soul clouded in the midnight darkness of sin, 
the object is attained, and to God be all the praise. 

The author did not intend this little book for public 
perusal, but at the solicitation of many friends, has 
concluded to publish it: his "soul's desire" being 
that "the seed sown in weakness" may yield abun- 
dant fruit to the glory of God. S. P. G. 

3 



PRAYER. 

" In everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let 
your requests be made known unto God." — Phil. iv. 6. 

Prayer is the soul's sincere desire, 

Uttered or unexpressed ; 
The motion of a hidden fire, 

That trembles in the breast. 

Prayer is the burden of a sigh ; 

The falling of a tear; 
The upward glancing of an eye, 

When none but God is near. 

Prayer is the simplest form of speech 

That infant lips can try ; 
Prayer, the sublimest strains that reach 

The Majesty on high. 

Prayer is the Christian's vital breath; 

The Christian's native air; 
The watchword at the gates of death — 

He enters heaven with prayer. 

O, Thou, by whom we come to God, 

The Life, the Truth, the Way, 

The path of prayer Thyself hast trod, 

Lord teach us how to pray. 

Montgomery. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

Preface 3 

Prayer 4 

Moral Gems 7 

Heart-Breathings. 

Dedicatory 15 

Sacred Devotion. 15 

Ejaculations 16 

Thanks for Blessings 21 

Contrition, Supplication, Faith and Thanks- 
giving 23 

Adoration, Confession and Gratitude 28 

Evening Prayer 92 

In Affliction 97 

"We sit at the feet of Jesus " 99 

The Holy Sabbath 104 

The Second Advent 109 

1* 5 



6 Contents. 

PAGE 

Arrangement from xxxii. and xxxiii. Psalms 113 

The Commandments 117 

General Confession 120 

Apostles' Creed 121 

The Lord's Prayer 121 

2 Corinthians xiii. 14 122 

Final 123 



MORAL GEMS. 



"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." — 
Prov. xxv. 11. 

OF all vices take heed of drunkenness. Other 
vices are but fruits of disordered affections ; 
this disorders, nay, banishes reason. Other vices 
impair the soul ; this demolishes her two chief facul- 
ties, the understanding and the will. Other vices 
make their own way, this makes way for all vices. 
He that is a drunkard is qualified for all vice. 

All excess is ill, but drunkenness is of the worst 
sort. It spoils health, dismounts the mind, and un- 
mans men. It reveals secrets, is quarrelsome, las- 
civious, impudent, dangerous, and mad. He that is 
drunk is not a man, because he is for so long devoid 
of reason that distinguishes a man from a beast. 

God is ' Alpha and Omega in the great world ; 
endeavor to make Him so in the little world ; make 

7 



8 Moral Gems. 

Him \S\y evening epilogue, and thy morning prologue ; 
practice to make Him thy last thought at night when 
thou sleepest, and thy first in the morning when thou 
wakest, so shall thy fancy be sanctified in the night, 
and thy understanding rectified in the day; so shall 
thy rest be peaceful, thy labors prosperous, thy life 
pious, and thy death glorious. 

We can be in no such unhappy condition where 
God cannot help us, for the depths of misery are not 
beyond the depths of mercy. If comforts be wanting, 
God can create comforts not only out of nothing, but 
out of the greatest sorrows. 

It appears to me that the grace of God mends the 
head while it converts the heart. It brings the mind 
into such a holy, regular frame, that we can know 
nothing of the good of our own existence until we 
exist in God. 

There are three principal reasons why so many do 
not enjoy as much happiness as they might: first, 
because they expect too much here below. Many of 
the most pious and sensible have been contented, but 
no one ever said he was completely happy. If we 
have religion and wealth, two of the most likely 
things to make us comfortable, perhaps we want 
health of body ; even if we possess that, some enemies 
or relations trouble us : all this is designed to teach 



Moral Gems. 9 

us that the world is not our home. Another thing 
that keeps us unhappy is looking up with envy at 
those above us. We fancy others must be more 
happy because they are more rich, more healthy, or 
have not so many enemies, though perhaps if we 
knew all things respecting them we would not change 
with them ; but we should more frequently think of 
those below us, who are in hospitals, poor-houses or 
prisons, that are in extreme poverty, or blind, lame, 
dumb, insane, or under public disgrace. Lastly, we 
are frequently unhappy because we will not be satis- 
fied with simplicity. The brute creation seem in 
general contented and happy ; but man is not content 
with nature, but must have recourse to art and luxury 
to give him satisfaction ; and if he has not as much 
of these as his neighbors or acquaintances, he seems 
to be determined to be unhappy. But let us consider 
how few are our real wants. If we have our liberty 
and any share of health, we have the principal requi- 
sites of natural happiness ; and if, besides this, we 
have grace and the influence of the Spirit, we may 
be called happy persons. 



Bread and water, with the favor of God, are 
dainties. A little that a righteous man hath is better 
than the riches of many wicked. This is for you that 
have plenty of riches, and think that there will be no 
end thereto. 



io Moral Gems. 

No one should be fearful or envious at the pros- 
perity and wealth of others, for they will soon die 
and go hence, as destitute as if they had lived in 
poverty. 

If I am living to gratify any appetites and passions, 
men may applaud me, but God will condemn me. 

Your sins will find you out. 

All men must die, they know not how soon, when 
or where. Prepare ! 

God says to the wicked, "Now consider this, ye 
that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there 
be none to deliver. My word is truth. I will do it." 
God is not a being that will lie. 

Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me, and to him 
that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the 
salvation of God. Ps. 1. 23. 

Bad goods require dark rooms ; and as many arti- 
cles of merchandise seem valuable till taken into the 
light, so there are many things which appear fair till 
they are set in the light of God's countenance. Be- 
fore Him the friendships we often profess are nothing 
but instances of selfishness ; and the prayers and 
praises we engage in are only the forms of godliness. 



Moral Gems. 12 

We may come to His house as His people come, sit 
and hear His words, and commend the preacher, and 
with our mouths show much love, while He sees our 
hearts going after our covetousness. And how dread- 
ful to think that He will hereafter develope all. and 
divulge all respecting us ; and that what we have 
always been before Him, we shall be made to appear 
before an assembled world ! Could many now be 
seen by their fellow creatures as He sees them, they 
would blush to leave their dAvelling. To what ever- 
lasting shame and contempt must they awake and 
arise at the last day. 



If a Christian, you will be singular, and while the 
world continues what it is, every Christian must be 
singular. Let any man, actuated by the Spirit, and 
governed by the precepts of the Gospel, pass through 
the various walks of life, and whom will he resemble ? 
The majority? What says the Divine command: 
" Follow not the multitude to do evil," be not con- 
formed to this world, ''come out from among them 
and be separate." "But I shall be singular." And 
suppose you are ; they would be singularly beautiful, 
singularly rich, singularly wise. But the righteous 
in all these, is more excellent than his neighbor. 
Religion is always praiseworthy. To be religious 
among the religious is commendable, but it is far 
more so to be godly among the ungodly. 



12- Moral Ge?ns. 

You want an interest, dear reader, in Christ, more 
than you want jour daily food. The Bible says so. 

Man of the world, look to Christ. 

You have no excuse, sinner; you have time while 
reading this to give God your heart. 

Unlawful gain, lying, committing adultery, drunk- 
enness, &c, are crimes that bring terror to the soul 
in the dying hour. Avoid, pass by; think on your 
latter end. 

PART OF THE XXXVIITH PSALM. 

"I have seen the wicked in great power, and spread- 
ing himself like a green bay tree. 

"Yet he passed away, and lo, he was not; yea, I 
sought him but he could not be found." 

If a proud look is an abomination to the Lord, what 
must a proud heart be. 

God urges upon men his lessons of heavenly wis- 
dom in so many ways, that none can remain ignorant 
of them but those who obstinately refuse to hear. 

The architect of a celebrated monument of anti- 
quity cut his own name in the solid marble, while 
that of the Prince, under whose auspices it was built, 



Moral Gems. 13 

was engraved in the cement with which the surface 
was covered. Ages afterward, when the cement had 
crumbled to pieces, and the memory of the Prince 
had vanished, the name of the noble mechanic was 
read by thousands who admired the lasting monu- 
ment of his skill. So with our actions. While those 
which the world calls splendid shall soon be blotted 
from the memory, the self-denying, unobtrusive deeds 
of humble piety shall be had in everlasting remem- 
brance. The frost and storms of time may obliterate 
the record of earthly greatness, but they who turn 
many to righteousness shall shine as the stars for 
ever and ever. 

Read the fourth chapter of Malachi. 
2 



HEART-BREATHINGS. 



ADORABLE Saviour, when we have gone 
hence to be with Thee, may these our 
heart-felt petitions prove a precious legacy to 
those we love, an evidence to them of Thy 
convicting, converting, sanctifying and saving 
grace ; a comfort and a joy for ever, for Christ's 
sake. Amen. 



Sacrefc Bebotton. 

WE beseech Thee, Good Father, to endue 
us plenteously with heavenly gifts, 
that our prayers may not be cold and heartless, 
but rather as a glowing flame, rising from the 
fires of sacred devotion and kindled in the soul 
by the breath of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 



ISfaculattong on bartoug ©ccastora*- 

[Not to be used to the exclusion of regular prayer.] 

BLESS the Lord, O my soul — The good 
Shepherd who watches while thou 
sleepest. 

Pardon, Lord, the idle and sinful thoughts 
of the night ; and so purify me, that even the 
unconscious motives of my mind may be void 
of offence. 

Lord, grant that I may awaken from the 
night of the grave to the day of Thy glory. 

Thou that givest light and strength to the 
stars to run their appointed journey, give me 
Thy light and Thy strength to guide and aid 
me in the trials and duties of this day. For 
Christ's sake. Amen. 

16 



Ejaculations on Various Occasions. 17 

&n (Soing (Dut. 
Lord, be with me throughout this day. 
Guard me from sin. Protect me from injury 
and evil. Be with my family in mercy — aid 
me in the performance of my duties. For 
Christ's sake. Amen. 

Wibm engaging in ang $8ork. 
Aid and bless me, O Lord. Let all that I 
do conform to Thy will, and redound to Thy 
glory. Amen. 

Wtyn Conscious of babing £iniuo. 

Merciful Father, blot out my transgressions. 
Have mercy upon me a miserable sinner. Par- 
don me and uplift me from sin. For our dear 
Saviour's sake. Amen. 

Wibnx gismgagtb. 

O God, let my life and my leisure be filled 
with thoughts of Thee. I bless Thee that I 
live, that I think, that I pray ; and for Thy in- 
numerable mercies. Grant me Thy grace and 
dedicate me to Thy glory. Amen. 
2* 



1 8 Heart-Brea th ings . 

git % sio^t oi gdflictimi. 
Lord of mercy comfort and relieve my suffer- 
ing friends. Forgive their sins, heal their 
infirmities, and make them happy in a saving 
knowledge of Thee. Amen. 

IJasging % aboto of % ghab. 
Thou, in whose hands are the issues of life 
and death, sanctify this visitation and warning 
to me and to the kindred and friends of the 
departed ; assuage their sorrows, and grant 
them and me the life that knows no death. 
Amen. 

ffifyzn ^empttb. 

Father in heaven, remove this temptation far 
from me, if it be Thy will ; or if the trial be 
mine, be mine also the grace and strength 
which Thou alone canst give to shield me from 
evil, now and evermore. For Christ's sake. 
Amen. 

Wfyzn Urongeb. 

Forgive, O Lord, the wrong that has been 
done me. Turn the hearts of my enemies, and 
above all, so sanctify me with Thy grace, that 



Ejaculatiotis o?i Various Occasions. 19 

I may sincerely and heartily forgive and love, 
and do good to all men. Amen. 

Blessed be Thy name, my Father and my 
God. Make my heart thankful to Thee for 
this hour, and may no happiness here make 
me forget that only true happiness which 
awaits the just made perfect. Amen. 

When gtfflicteb. 

Let this sorrow pass from me, if it be Thy 
will ; if not, blessed be Thy name : and may 
Thy every dispensation draw me unto Thee 
with a purer faith and a more humble and fer- 
vent gratitude. Amen. 

3tt % ssigfjt of j$itt. 
Oh Thou, ever blessed, who hast died to save 
sinners, awaken the unconverted to a sense of 
their transgressions ; may they repent, be saved, 
and added to the millions who rejoice in Thy 
mercies. Save me, O Lord, from their sins 
and from all sin. Make me humble and watch- 
ful with my trust in Thee only, for I am of 



20 Heart- Breathings. 

sinners the chief, and without Thee I am lost. 
I apply to Thee for forgiveness. Save Lord, 
save the purchase of Thy blood. Amen. 

Wfytn nutting a gUlatibc or Jtunb. 

Bless them, O Lord, sanctify and save them. 
Grant them Thy peace here, and make them 
partakers of Thy glory hereafter. Amen. 

l%n about to gleep. 

Again, and ever, O God, I thank and bless 
Thee. May my last thoughts this night be in 
gratitude to Thee. Forgive my sins. Impart 
to me Thy Spirit. Grant me a guarded and 
healthful sleep ; and, when I awaken, may it 
be to bless and praise Thee. Amen. 



Cfianfes for blessings. 

" We bless Thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings 
of this life; but above all for Thine inestimable love in the redemption 
of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ." 

ALMIGHTY God we bless Thee for our 
creation, for although born in sin and 
cradled in innocent ignorance, we have awoke 
to a new birth in righteousness, even by the 
indwelling of Thy Holy Spirit. 

We bless Thee, for our preservation — pre- 
served from plague and pestilence, from the 
fiery demon and the midnight assassin, from 
bankruptcy and ruin in our business relations, 
from affliction and penury in our family circle, 
from discord and confusion in the church, from 
the foreign foe and domestic enemy in our na- 
tional affairs — blessed with peace and plentv. 
We bless Thee for all the blessings of this life, 
for food and raiment, for an open Bible and an 
evangelical ministry, for Thy sanctuary and its 

21 



22 Heart- Breathings. 

holy ordinances, for this means of grace and 
for the hope of glory — but before all and in all 
for Thine inestimable love in our redemption 
here and salvation hereafter by our Lord Jesus 
Christ, whom Thou didst send to die an igno- 
minious death on Calvary for our sins, and 
bless with a glorious resurrection for our justi- 
fication. Glory be to Thy holy name. Amen. 



Contrition, Supplication, dFaitf) an* 
Cljan&sgtbmg, 

WITH contrite hearts, con- 
scious of our inability to do Contrition. 
aright ; aware of our neglect to ob- 
serve Thy Will in all things ; with repeated and 
sinful deviations from Thy laws of righteous- 
ness ; erring continually, giving way to those 
irregularities of deportment which profit not, 
but condemn us ; disobedient and unfaithful 
stewards of Thy household ; self-reliant, pre- 
sumptuous, coveting, ignorant, debased, without 
gratitude, or adoring respect ; building upon 
shadows of our own conceits ; taking unto 
ourselves merit which alone belongs to Thee ; 
setting ourselves in high places made from our 
own imaginings, temples of air which have no 
real existence ; assuming Pharisaical goodness ; 
given to uncharitableness toward our brethren ; 

23 



24 Heart-Breathings. 

discarding Thy will in many things, and but 
partially obeying Thy commandments ; of our- 
selves poor, vile, miserable sinners, deserving 
Thy just wrath and indignation, and utterly 
devoid of every qualification of goodness, ex- 
cept as coming from Thy bountiful hand, we 
bow down in humble submission before Thee, 

our kind and indulgent Parent, to 
^implication, supplicate Thy compassionate pity 

upon our infirmities, and to beseech 
that out of the abundance of Thy love Thou 
wouldst grant unto us the riches of Thy grace. 
In these our quiet moments, may we resolve to 
regard not the interests of time and sense, but 
rather the good of our souls in preparation for 
eternity. May we appreciate this means of 
grace, and fully realize that these moments 
employed in prayer are not spent in vain ; that 
this is to us a rich treasure, better by far than 
gold or rubies ; that through prayer we are 
benefited and improved. May we not only 
knock at the door of mercy, but await Thy 
coming with rich blessings to assuage every 
grief, and to give us comfort in the Holy Ghost. 
We know full well that we cannot gain from 



Contrition. Supplicatioti, Faith. Thanksgiving. 25 

this world a satisfying good, we therefore pray 
Thee to incline us unto that wisdom which 
looks to God for all blessedness. May we, good 
Lord, be neither negligent of our closet or 
public duties, whether in meditation, self-ex- 
amination, reading the Holy Scriptures, praise 
or prayer ; may we look to Thee as the pure 
fountain from whence all wisdom and godliness 
flows ; to insure a closer walk with God, give 
us regularity and alacrity in performing every 
required duty ; may we not decline in spiritual 
health, but become robust men and women in 
holy faith, that we may secure Thy favor here, 
and insure our lives for heaven. Give unto us 
a spirit of prayer, self-denial, vigilance, run- 
ning, wrestling and fighting for Thy kingdom ; 
in our associations with those who love not 
God, save us from contamination ; bestow upon 
us such safeguards of protection, as that we 
shall withstand the power of the enemy and 
triumph over every obstacle. Make us just 
towards our fellow men, honest and upright, 
despising deceit and abominating falsehood, 
shunning evil of every kind, and running 
swiftly towards divine perfection ; to this end 



26 Heart- Breathings, 

may we be blessed with wholesome, trust- 
ing, believing, sanctifying faith in 
Jfattfe. Thy covenanted promises, realizing 

through a spiritual vision, that Thou 
dost hear and answer prayer, that the Holy 
Spirit has an indwelling in our souls, that 
through this medium we have been wedded to 
Christ, our adorable Saviour. Thy precious 
promises are to our souls and bodies vouch- 
safed in consolation and comfort ; we believe 
that Thou wilt grant to us all good things ; we 
rely upon Thy reconciling words of grace and 
glory, and we believe they will be fulfilled to 
our salvation ; w T e believe that we shall receive 
manifold blessings in this world, and in the 
world to come life everlasting. We receive rich 
outpourings of love when we apply for bless- 
ings ; our petitions and addresses reach Thine 
ear, and Thy right hand is extended to relieve ; 
surely Thy goodness and loving-kindness is 
sufficient for every day and every trial ! Give 
us faith to lay hold of Thine inestimable 
promises. Lord we believe, help 
Ifymiwgtbmg. Thou our unbelief! We therefore 
with praises and thanksgiving join 



Contrition, Supplication, Faith, Thanksgiving. 27 

with Thy heavenly hosts in ascribing glory, 
honor, praise and power to the God that has 
loved us, to the Saviour who has redeemed us, 
to the Holy Spirit which comforts us. To the 
Triune God we worship, to Him only belongs 
all the glory. With angels and archangels, 
with saints redeemed and just men made per- 
fect, with our hearts' truest and fullest adora- 
tion, we give Thee unfeigned thanks for these 
high and holy privileges and blessings. Amen. 



adoration, (Ronftmon antr iffitatttttbe* 

" Light is sown for the righteous, and joyful gladness for the upright 
in heart." 

WE magnify and adore Thy holy name, 
our Supreme Ruler, the God and Father 
of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, for Thy 
condescending goodness in granting to us, poor 
worms of the dust, life, health and happiness ; 
that although deserving Thy righteous indigna- 
tion, (in consideration especially of our repeated 
transgressions,) we are the recipients of mani- 
fold blessings continually. Blessed with com- 
forts far beyond our deserts, spared the many 
afflictions incident to human nature, are we not 
the special objects of Thy love, and shall we 
not anew resolve for Thee to live, and in Thy 
service to depart this life in peace ? Are we, 
good Lord, thoroughly devoting ourselves to 
Thy will, are we consecrating our time and 
28 



Adoration, Confession and Gratitude. 29 

our talents in advancing the interests of Thy 
kingdom ; are we really and truly living in 
Christ and for Christ? Try us, O God, by 
the standard of Thy laws, and wherein we are 
found wanting, grant unto us greater grace, 
that we may be the better able to discharge the 
duties devolving upon us. For instruction and 
guidance we look to Thee, as of ourselves we 
are both ignoi'ant and blind, incapacitated for 
every duty, full of imperfections ; grant to us, 
heavenly Father, we most sincerely beseech 
Thee, knowledge in good things, wisdom from 
on high, zeal and understanding, that we may 
show forth Thy righteousness through the en- 
tire journey of life's pilgrimage, doing good 
and receiving good, always desiring an increase 
of Thy love, and ever abounding in good 
works. 

The angelic choir who chant Thy praises 
in adoring thanksgivings have but partial bless- 
ings as compared with Thy loving-kindness to 
us ; have we not been, good Lord, the special 
objects of Thy grace and mercy through all of 
life's stormy pathway ; when sin abounded 
without a Saviour, and wickedness reigned 



30 Heart-Breathings. 

supremely triumphant, didst Thou not remem- 
ber us in mercy rather than visit us in justice, 
in sending Thine only and best beloved Son, to 
make a propitiatory sacrifice foi our salvation? 
Of ourselves condemned already, blind to the 
truth of happiness, depraved outcasts, unworthy 
Thy countenance and deserving everlasting 
punishment, a new and living way was vouch- 
safed to us whereby we could cast away the 
works of darkness, and take upon us the true, 
holy and precious assurance, that in faith, be- 
lieving, and good works following us, Christ 
Jesus our Brother, Thine adorable Son, as- 
sumes our transgressions, and we are made to 
rejoice with exceeding joy. Let Thy grace 
abound in our hearts more abundantly, that we 
may contribute to the good of our fellows, be- 
come more worthy Thy service, more devoted 
to good works, and finally receive Thine ap- 
proving recognition amongst Thy saints in 
glory everlasting. 

We mourn over our ignorance and incom- 
petency to fulfil aright the responsible duties 
imposed .upon us in our family relations ; all 
wisdom and power comes from Thine inex- 



Adoration, Confession a?id Gratitude. 31 

haustible fountain of knowledge ; to Thee, 
then, we lift up our hearts, in sincere and 
anxious solicitude for an increase of wisdom, 
not such as the world gives, but exceedingly 
better — that which will profit us beyond the 
grave and fit us here for every word and work ; 
may we be so taught by the Author of all wis- 
dom, that we may be enabled to bring these, 
our darlings, to the cross of Christ right early 
in life, and manifest to all around us that we 
are true followers of the meek and lowly Lamb ; 
convict the careless, awaken the lukewarm, 
build up the believer, and save us all with an 
everlasting salvation, we beg for Christ's sake. 
Amen. 



" The will of God is the perfection of all wisdom." 

THE power is Thine, O Lord, the glory 
is Thine, to Thee belongs all wisdom, 
might, and majesty 7 ; glorious Saviour, Thou 
art our God and our Guide, ever present, 
always kind, ever watchful ; an exceedingly 



32 Heart- Breathings. 

patient Master, mindful of Thy children ; with 
pity for our infirmities ; Thou art our help in 
time of need ; to Thee we can apply for relief 
from sorrow ; in Thee we can find every com- 
fort ; through Thee we have a lively hope of a 
blessed hereafter. How can we sufficiently 
praise and glorify Thy holy name, O blessed 
Redeemer, for Thy goodness and loving-kind- 
ness, which has followed us all the days of our 
life? We approach Thee this morning, in 
humble reliance upon Thy goodness, to plead 
for the outpouring of Thy Holy Spirit ; grant 
us the full measure of Thy blessings ; give 
unto us the realization of our true acceptance 
with Thee, that we may the more abundantly 
magnify and adore Thy condescending good- 
ness, and be more thoroughly sanctified in that 
holy faith which takes hold of the precious 
promises. " There is a balm in Gilead and a 
physician there," one who is omnipresent, one 
who can heal the loathsomeness of sin, one 
who can purify uncleanness, one who can take 
from death its sting and who can insure the 
Christian's victory ; surely we can rejoice and 
offer up hearty thanks for the knowledge of the 



Adoration, Confession and Gratitude. 33 

fact, that we can be accepted of him, and made 
heirs of eternal happiness. Teach us Almighty 
Father to follow continually the good pilgrim's 
road that leads to the city of our God. 

Around the family circle, with Thine eyes 
beholding our necessities, and a stretched out 
arm to relieve our wants, enable us to lay hold 
of Thy promises and participate in their bless- 
ings ; make us " a holy people, zealous of good 
works ;" may our example be such as to inspire 
in our children a love of Thee, and influence 
them, as they grow in years, to increase in 
divine knowledge ; bless with Thy continual 
presence our entire household ; may we be "a 
household of faith and a family of prayer ;" in 
all the connections of life, whether of family 
or friends, may we give evidence, "by an up- 
right walk and chaste conversation, that we 
have been with God and learned of Him ;" 
forgive us, O Lord, for whatever of wrong we 
are guilty towards others ; grant that we may 
"live in peace and good-will with all men ;" 
constrain the hearts of those who would harm 
us to look with kindness rather than anger 
upon our motives ; bring all into Thy fold, that 



34 Heart- Breathings. 

we may be of one heart and one mind to love 
and serve the Lord. Bless Thy holy ordinances 
to our good ; may we observe them with that 
outward promptness that shall testify of the 
indwelling of the love of Christ, and especially 
may we be benefited by the Gospel of Christ 
as given us by divine inspiration. Incline our 
hearts to fulfil each and every charge devolving 
upon us in our duty to our God and His crea- 
tion, that we may go forth in joy and delight 
in adding to the comfort of the bodies and souls 
of those around us. We would not forget, 
good Lord, to pray for a revival of Thy work ; 
extend Thy Gospel to the uttermost ends of the 
earth; may "the sea make a noise and be 
glad" that all have sought and found atone- 
ment through Thy blood ; may every house- 
hold become a heaven on earth, so that we 
shall see Thee come again in Thy transcendent 
glory to call Thy saints from groveling in the 
dust to glorious immortality, from pain and 
sorrow to joy eternal, from cares to rest, from 
temptation to everlasting security, from the per- 
plexities of this world to the never ending 
happiness of a home in heaven, and then as 



Adoration, Confession and Gratitude. 35 

now will we ascribe all honor, power and 
glory to that beloved Saviour, "who died for 
our sins and rose again for our justification." 
Amen. 

— *^>^^b*^t>. — 
"Pray without ceasing." 1 Thess. v. 17. 

WITH a grateful sense of duty, O Lord, 
and with full knowledge of our un- 
worthiness, we approach Thy mercy-seat this 
morning to thank Thee for Thy preserving 
care which has protected us during the past 
night. How good Thou hast been to us, blessed 
Saviour, in Thus shielding us from harm, and 
granting us a continuance of Thy protection. 
"Make us truly humble and thankful for these 
and every other blessing we receive at Thy 
hands." May we be preserved from harm 
during the ensuing day, and as we go out into 
the busy world, there to mix with sinful beings, 
grant us Thy continual presence, that we may 
watch and pray lest we enter into temptation ; 
we can do nothing of ourselves, but through 



36 Heart-Breathings. 

Thy intercession we can be made invulnerable 
to the shafts of the enemy. O Lord, we be- 
seech Thee to give us faith and good works 
that we may become more and more strength- 
ened in every good resolve. We thank Thee, 
good Lord, that Thou hast inclined our hearts 
to serve Thee ; perfect, we beseech Thee, the 
good that is within us, until we shall fully re- 
alize the true and living way, and be abundantly 
blessed, and that continually, with the presence 
of the Lord. 

We feel a great responsibility, precious 
Saviour, in bringing up those dear ones which 
Thou hast given us ; enable us so to live that 
they, "seeing our good works, may glorify 
our Father which is in heaven ;" " endue us 
plenteously with Thy Holy Spirit," that our 
children may find with us a home which is a 
nursery for heaven ; incline their hearts to that 
glorified Saviour who has said : " Suffer little 
children to come unto me, and forbid them not, 
for of such is the kingdom of heaven ;" grant, 
O Lord, that by our advice and example they 
may learn from us, as we learn of Thee, that true 
happiness is alone to be found in the religion 



Adoration, Confession and Gratitude. 37 

of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ ; to this 
end, O holy Saviour, forbid that we should 
ever by word, deed or action do ought that 
may be a stumbling-block in the way of lead- 
ing them to the pure fountain of all joy ; bless, 
we beseech Thee, all who are connected with us 
by the ties of nature ; incline the hearts of those 
who profess Thy name to a u closer walk with 
God ;" bless them abundantly with all good ; 
shield them from all harm ; comfort them in 
affliction ; and may we all realize that our light 
afflictions are but blessings in disguise, teach- 
ing us of our unfaithfulness, and causing us to 
resolve anew to live nearer the protecting side 
of our blessed Saviour. Incline the hearts of 
those who know Thee not to retrospect their 
unprofitable lives ; to see the sinfulness of sin ; 
to feel how vain, fleeting and unsubstantial are 
the pleasures of this world, when not sanc- 
tioned by the presence of the Source of all 
real happiness ; convict, convert, sanctify and 
save them, we implore Thee. We believe in 
the efficacy of prayer, good Lord ; we know 
we shall not plead in vain ; we have Thy 
promises ; we know by faith Thou dost hear 
4 



38 Heart-Breathings. 

and answer prayer ; when our hearts are trou- 
bled, O Lord, we apply to Thee for that relief 
which Thou alone canst vouchsafe ; we believe 
Thou wilt grant our supplications, and there- 
fore we approach Thee in faith, believing ; 
hear us, then, O Lord, in behalf of those for 
whom we pray ; constrain their hearts to seek 
Thy favor ; turn them, we beseech Thee, from 
the error of their ways ; lead them to the cross 
of Christ ; bring them into Thy fold, that they 
may adorn the family of the Lord ; influence 
them, O Lord, we pray Thee, to receive into 
their hearts Thy Holy Spirit ; and if it is Thy 
will, O Lord, grant that they may be so drawn 
to love Thee, that forgetting the things that are 
past, they may live in peace and happiness 
here, and finally reach that harbor where 
storms never assail, where Christ reigns, where 
sorrow and sighing for ever flee away. Grant 
our petitions, heavenly Father, and save us for 
Christ's sake. Amen. 



Adoration, Confession and Gratitude. 39 



"Great and marvellous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just 
and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints." 

SUPREMELY great and wonderful in all 
things art Thou, O Lord God of hosts ; 
to Thee we owe our creation, preservation and 
every blessing of life, but infinitely above and 
beyond all, we are indebted for Thy loving 
mercy manifested towards us in our redemp- 
tion, by sending Thine only Son, Christ Jesus, 
to suffer and die, that we guilty and lost sinners 
might have a way opened up, a true and living 
way, whereby we can be saved ; we give Thee 
all the glory, good Lord ; having the deepest 
sense of our own unworthiness, we would be 
most excellent and honorable in Thy sight, O 
God, and now acknowledge Thy greatness and 
goodness, in all things beseeching Thee to visit 
us not according to our deserts, but in the 
abundance of Thy condescending love and 
mercy. We know that with Thy presence 
and favor we can overcome all obstructions in 
the way of advancement in divine life ; inspire 
us with a love of truth and goodness ; may we 
be devoted to humanity, have respect and 



40 Heart- Breathings. 

reverence for Thy ordinances, and worship 
Thee in Thy holiness always ; may our souls 
accord with Thy Holy Spirit in all things, so 
that we may receive Thine approving smiles, 
and be found ever on the Lord's side ; we are 
conscious of the offences we daily commit, and 
are aware of the great benefits we receive at 
Thy hands ; give us grace to shun the one, and 
thankful hearts to appreciate the other ; with 
sins of great magnitude already committed, we, 
the vilest of the vile, come to Thee, realizing 
that Thou wilt have mercy on us and pardon 
us for Thy Son's sake. The comfortable as- 
surances of Thy Holy Word are to us consola- 
tion and relief amidst life's perplexities ; when 
annoyed, vexed and dismayed by surrounding 
circumstances, we find comfort from Thy pres- 
ence and a balm for every wound ; O, make 
us truly humble and devoutly thankful for Thy 
watchful care over us, and may we here dedi- 
cate our entire being to Thee, that thus being 
made Thy faithful servants on this earth, we 
may become heirs with God and joint heirs 
with Thy Son Jesus Christ, our Lord, in Thy 
kingdom on high. Lead our children into the 



Adoration, Confession and Gratitude. 41 

green pastures of godliness ; incline their ten- 
der hearts toward Thy service ; teach their 
prattling tongues to lisp Thy praises ; receive 
them into Thy family by adoption and free 
grace, and of Thy great mercy keep them 
under Thy guardian care, so that they may 
adorn Thy kingdom here and reach Thy holy 
habitation in the heavens. Have mercy upon 
our connections that know not God ; pity their 
unbelief; awaken their slumbering souls; O 
may they cast off the powers of darkness and 
take upon themselves the glorious light that 
radiates the Christian's path, and reflects Tin- 
holy image all around ; we would agonize, O 
Lord, in their behalf; hear our prayers of sup- 
plication for their conversion, and constrain 
them, we beseech Thee, to seek and find Thee, 
the only true and living God. 

O, Lamb of God, renew within us who pro- 
fess Thy name, a greater desire to live after 
Thy commandments. u To fear God and keep 
His commandments is the whole duty of man :" 
may we come fully up to Thy requirements, 
thus securing for ourselves great blessings, and 
throwing around us such healthy influences as 
4* 



42 Heart- Breathings. 

shall cause sinners to fall in with the offered 
terms of mercy ; be with us in the various 
associations and duties of life ; go with us, as 
we mix with the gay and thoughtless ; watch 
over us, good Lord, that we be not enticed to 
do evil ; dwell with us in the Sabbath-school 
and Sanctuary ; incline our hearts to get good 
and do good, and in all things order our actions, 
conform our words, influence our thoughts as 
shall be most acceptable to Thee, so that we 
may prove a blessing to our generation, and 
honor and glorify Thy holy name ever, world 
without end. Amen. 



"With the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemp- 
tion." 

OUR Father and our God, we implore a 
continuation of those blessings which 
have been manifold since our being. 

We can ask no good thing of our own 
merits, for we are poor, miserable sinners, 
deserving Thy wrath continually, yet " thanks 



Adoration. Confession and Gratitude. 43 

be to God. who giveth us the victory through 
our Lord Jesus Christ.'' by His agonizing suff- 
ering: and ignominious death, we are vouch- 
safed the assurance, that through faith we may 
become the recipients of much good here and 
the participators of everlasting joy hereafter ! 
Oh ! what a sublime, elevating thought, that 
through Christ we can attain to good works in 
this vile body, and have a resurrection in a 
spiritual body to join just men made perfect. 
our sainted loved ones, and best of all our be- 
loved Redeemer, through whose intercession 
we are alone made thus happy ; God be praised 
for His condescending goodness in thus caring 
and providing for us. miserable sinners ! 

Grant. O Lord, that we may continually 
aspire to and attain those blessings which we 
can enjoy through Thy mediatorial goodness : 
enable us to go onward and upward towards the 
perfection of righteousness : help us in every 
good word and work : give us the abilitv to 
ask of Thee all things aright : give irs the faith 
to fully believe in Thy precious promises : 
make us. O Lord. " Israelites indeed in whom 
there is no guile." that whether in business life. 



44 Heart-Breathings. 

in social life, around the family fireside, in the 
church, or in the state, we may show to those 
around us, u that we have been with Christ and 
learned of Him." Oh, forbid that we should 
be a stumbling-block in the way of others, and 
thereby be accessory to their damnation ; save 
us, O Lord, save us from this sin ; be our God 
and our Guide, then shall we abide continually 
under Thy shadow, and fear no evil. 

We would especially plead for the out-pour- 
ing of Thy Holy Spirit on the church ; build 
up there, O Lord a congregation of true disci- 
ples, evangelical Christians, whose good works 
shall be read and known of all men ; sanctify 
the zealous efforts of the ministers, that they 
may rejoice with exceeding joy, in realizing 
that their ministry is not in vain ; grant to 
them, Almighty God, the evidence of the effi- 
cacy of their good counsel by the ingathering 
of precious souls into the fold of Christ, such 
as shall be everlastingly saved. 

Bless, O heavenly Father, the ordinances 
of the church to the good of our souls ; re- 
member the poor and the needy, the sick and 
the suffering, the fatherless and the widow ; 



Adoration, Co?ifessio?i and Gratitude. 45 

give us the heart and the will to endeavor to 
alleviate the pains of suffering humanity ; 
endue us with power and wisdom, that we 
may be prominent and useful in all that apper- 
tains to the good of Thy church and the re- 
lief of mankind. 

We thank Thee. O Lord, for the prosperity 
we enjoy ; for the means of grace at our com- 
mand ; for the gracious revival of Thy work 
in our midst, but far above and beyond all, for 
the glorious prospect of a happy hereafter ; 
make us truly humble and thankful for these 
and all other blessings, for Christ's sake. 
Amen. 



" Lord, oiir Governor, how excellent is Thy name in the world." 

WE thank Thee, O precious Saviour, that 
justification is by faith in Jesus, that 
salvation is secured to us through Thv great 
atonement, that everlasting happiness hereafter 
is promised for our enjoyment, if we but cast 
our all at Thy feet ; strengthen our good re- 



46 Heart- Breathings. 

solves by additions of grace ; give us increased 
knowledge of our duties and stronger desires 
to fulfil them ; perfect within us, O Lord, such 
good works, as that we may have that un- 
wavering faith which dispels fear and makes 
us to see always rather the glories than the 
terrors of Thy laws ; we would, O heavenly 
Father, rejoice continually in Thy mercies ; 
save, Oh save us from Thy judgments, but if 
in Thy good pleasure Thy righteous correc- 
tions should be visited upon us, give us grace 
sufficient for every trial, and may such visita- 
tions teach us the more especially of our own 
unworthiness and the necessity of a " closer 
walk with God." As the past shadows forth 
to our vision Thy preserving mercies, as the 
present testifies of Thy indulgent kindness, and 
as the future gives us hope of the realization 
of Thy precious promises, we thank Thee, O 
Lord, that Thou hast thus far blest us with 
sunshine, and we have an abiding faith in the 
belief that Thou wilt in future not frown with 
anger, but smile with blessings upon our heads ; 
thus convinced, we here in humble thanks 
yield our all to Thy service, as our dearest 



Adoration, Confession and Gratitude. 47 

Companion, our Counsellor, our King, our 
Saviour. Number us, O Lord, among Thy 
people : receive us, O Lord, into Thy family : 
register our names, adored Redeemer, in Thy 
book of remembrance ; keep us faithful in 
every duty ; give us the energy and the will to 
work in Thy vineyard ; make us true Israelites : 
give us grace and glory, so that under every 
circumstance we may show forth Thv glory 
to a wicked and sinful world : may our ambi- 
tion urge us to attain to higher and yet 
higher knowledge of godliness ; may our 
humility humble us to the dust in Thy pre- 
sence ; may our constant desires and most fer- 
vent prayers be to become more and more like 
unto Thee, our Holy Saviour. 

Thou knowest, O Lord, how we are tempted 
by the Adversary of our souls, "Who goeth 
about as a roaring lion seeking whom he 
may devour." We are continuallv liable to 
become entangled in his clutches. Oh. grant 
that we mav overcome every besetting- sin. that 
having Christ Jesus as our constant, loving and 
protecting companion, the Enemy's darts will 
fall harmless at our feet. 



48 Heart-Breathings. 

We are surrounded, good Lord, with many 
comforts in life which Thou hast given us. In 
our home we are blessed with health, food and 
raiment ; our dear children are spared to us in 
Thy goodness. In our business life we are 
saved from bankruptcy ; our associations are 
pleasant and beneficial. In social life we are 
blessed with many kind and sincere friends. 
Innumerable are our blessings, and they all 
come from Thy bountiful hand. Are we suffi- 
ciently thankful, O Lord, for these great bless- 
ings? Search our hearts, and wherein we 
come short in giving Thee all the glory, O, 
eradicate such neglect, and implant thoroughly 
proper acknowledgements for these great bless- 
ings. In Thy good time and wisdom turn the 
hearts of those around us to Thy love and 
service ; may the comfortable assurance of Thy 
continual presence be with those who profess 
Thy name, and that they may become the 
better fitted for Thy service, increase Thy holy 
religion in their hearts. Hear our prayers for 
" all sorts and conditions of men/' and let Thy 
truth run and be glorified, for Jesus' sake. 
Amen. 



Adoration, Confession and Gratitude. 49 

" The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous ; and His ear? are 
open unto their prayers."' 

WITH humility and reverence. Almighty 
God. we again approach Thy presence, 
to offer to Thee in godly sincerity (as is our 
bounden duty) our unfeigned and grateful 
thanks for Thy watchful care and fatherly pro- 
tection, exercised towards us during another 
night. We would most reverentially claim 
through the merits of Thy precious blood a 
full and free realization of Christ within us, the 
hope of glory, and offer to Thee (as is most 
justly due) all the glory of our salvation. 
Without Thee, our glorified Redeemer, life is 
but a fleeting show, shadows that depart, 
clouds that disperse with the winds ; but if in 
Thy keeping, "joy cometh with the morning," 
and blessings continue throughout the day. We 
go forth into the busy world, and ordinary 
cares and vexations become as trifles, reverses 
but annoy for the moment ; we glide onward 
and upward with the smooth, unruffled tide 
of Thy favor, and again repair to the bosom 
of our families, happy and content. Truly. O 

5 



50 Heart-Breathings* 

Lord, "Thy ways are ways of pleasantness !" 
If in the wisdom of Thy providence, Thou 
shouldst spare to us our dear children, O, may 
they, good Lord, become as shining lights in 
their day and generation ; receive them, O 
Father, as Thy adopted children ; teach us that 
we may the better instruct them in true godli- 
ness, so that parents and children may prove 
an honor to Thee, a joyous satisfaction to each 
other, and finally become shining lights to gem 
Thy diadem in glory. In those ties which 
unite us to others by nature and marriage-vows, 
we feel especially resting upon us a weighty 
responsibility ; grant, heavenly Father, that we 
may faithfully, fully and freely discharge our 
duty towards our entire connection ; if by ad- 
vice or admonition, help us, good Lord ; if by 
example, may the glorious radiance of pure 
and undeflled religion be ever unveiled, so that, 
we may show forth by an upright walk and 
chaste conversation that Christ Jesus, the Lord, 
reigns supreme with us. Our prayers ascend 
for those whose time, talents, grace, accom- 
plishments, and desires find unison only with 
worldly pleasures ; whose days and nights are 



Adoration, Co?ifession and Gratitude. 51 

absorbed in schemes and anticipations of the 
world's enjoyments, without one thought of 
Thee ; Oh teach them, good Lord, that religion 
is true happiness ; that sinful pleasures are 
short-lived ; that true pleasures are sweetened 
and rendered transcendently enjoyable, when 
accompanied with Thy presence. The con- 
science void of offence gives repose and com- 
fort, whilst the countenance testifies that Thou 
art in the midst to bless. Glory be to Thee, O 
Lord God of Israel, that these ideas have be- 
come with us veritable facts, to the exclusion 
of evil doings, and the blessing of our every 
hour. Bless, O Lord, all the inhabitants of 
the earth ; aid those' who disseminate and 
spread broad-cast the teachings of the Gospel ; 
gather into Thy fold on this earth many who 
shall enter into Thy kingdom in heaven ; re- 
vive Thy work on the land and the sea ; let 
the uttermost parts of the earth hear of Thy 
goodness and loving - kindness ; make those 
who profess Thy name, teachers of men in 
those things that appertain to their everlasting 
salvation ; give us to feel always that Thcu art 
with us, and though legions be against us, hav- 



52 Heart-Breathings. 

ing right, with God upon our side, we cannot 
fear evil ; abundantly reward our feeble efforts 
to advance Thy glory ; give us to live in peace 
and happiness with all men ; endue us with 
divine wisdom and Thy heavenly Spirit, so 
that whether amidst the troubles of adversity 
or joys of prosperity, in sunshine or shade, in 
mourning or glee, Thy approving smiles and 
heavenly voice, (by a well-grounded faith,) 
will cheer us upward towards Thy heavenly 
city, the New Jerusalem, where we will ascribe 
everlasting praises to the Father, Son and Holy 
Ghost, throughout the countless ages of eter- 
nity. Amen. 



k ' Like as the hart panteth for the water-brooks, so longeth my soul 
after Thee, God." 

OMNIPOTENT Jehovah, God the Father 
Almighty, our Creator, Preserver and 
gracious Benefactor, in deepest humiliation 
and self-abasement we approach Thine awful but 
glorious presence, and most devoutly pray Thee 



Ado7'atio?i, Confessio?i a?id Gratitude. 53 

to awaken us really to a sense of Thy unutter- 
able and inconceivable glories. Sinful worms 
of the dust, full of impurity, we can scarcely 
presume to approach Thy majestic presence to 
ask a renewal of Thy covenant promises to us, 
yet, through the intercession of Thy well- 
beloved Son, our adorable Redeemer, Thou 
wilt condescend to hear and answer our peti- 
tions. With shame and contrition we acknow- 
ledge our many transgressions ; our degenerate 
natures, in repeated and aggravated instances, 
have rebelled against Thee, our Lord and 
Master, and we are continually wandering from 
the true and living way. Grant to us, good 
Lord, as we are here bowed down in humble 
reliance, a fixed purpose of heart to devote our 
time, energies, talents, and all that we have 
and are to Thy service ; may we consecrate 
ourselves in every word and work unquestion- 
ably to Thine approval, so that we shall be the 
happier here and transcendently happy hereaf- 
ter. We have many ties in heaven, good Lord, 
of friends and relatives, yet we have no attach- 
ment to compare with that of being with Thee, 
our Father and elder Brother, our beloved 
5 * 



54 Heart- Breathings, 

Saviour, who in our behalf came on earth to 
be reviled, suffered an agonizing death for our 
sins, and rose again for our justification. Poor 
worms of the dust, as we are, how insignificant 
we feel in Thy presence ; how utterly destitute 
of every personal qualification or merit ; how 
forlorn and cast away but for Thy loving inter- 
cession in our behalf; we, therefore, in humble 
thanks, praise Thy holy name for every com- 
fort and every joy. We would yield Thee our 
heart's adoration for that goodness and loving- 
kindness with which Thou hast blessed us ; we 
would be in deed and in truth the humble fol- 
lowers of the meek and lowly Lamb. Oh, 
grant to us such good works that we may be 
the more abundantly blest in constraining sin- 
ners to turn in with the offered terms of mercy. 
What a holy satisfaction to be the instrument 
in Thy hands of converting a soul ! What a 
multitude of deviations will be atoned in our 
behalf! What a gem in Thy crown in glory ! 
And best of all, we shall thus partially pay our 
obligations to that good Saviour who has re- 
deemed us with His most precious blood, and 



Adoration, Confession a.7id Gratitude. 55 

made us heirs and joint heirs with Him in the 
glories of His kingdom. 

Our situation in life brings us constantly in 
contact with sin and wickedness ; as we mix 
with the world, subject to its temptations, dis- 
sipations and follies, its cares, perplexities, 
annoyances and labor, we may temporarily 
forget our duty to our God. O grant, blessed 
Jesus, the presence of Thy guardian angels, 
that we may overcome every temptation and 
the sins that so easily beset us, and run with 
patience the race set before us ; giving assur- 
ance continually that Thou art our Ark of 
Safety, that though the enemy may abound all 
around us, the radiance of Thy saving presence 
illuminates our path, and Thy Holy Spirit 
directs our course, in the true Christian road 
that leads to glory ; then will others, seeing our 
good works, glorify Thee, our Omnipresent 
Saviour, and be influenced to seek and find the 
pearl of great price. If it is Thy good pleasure, 
give us grace and give us glory ; give us the 
true and living faith to believe that trusting in 
Thee we need not fear evil, though it threaten 
us on every side. Thy grace is sufficient for 



56 Heart-Breathi?igs. 

every trial ; Thy presence with us, and we 
will not fear an army of foes, for by Thee 
and through Thy assistance we are made strong 
to withstand the enemy without and our natu- 
ral sinfulness within. Hear our weak and im- 
perfect supplications, and finally gather us with 
Thy children into the "house not made with 
hands, eternal in the heavens," all of which we 
ask for our Redeemer's sake. Amen. 



" The earth, Lord, is full of Thy mercy ; teach ine Thy statutes." 

FATHER of all mercies, Dispenser of 
every comfort, Disposer of our beings, 
we yield Thee unceasing praise and our heart's 
adoration, that Thou art the Guardian Angel 
who gives sleep to our eyelids and repose to 
our slumbers ; protecting our homes from the 
fiery demon and the midnight robber ; preserv- 
ing us in every way from the foe without or 
harm within ; permitting us to awaken to an- 
other morning with our faculties unimpaired, 
our health improved, and best of all, with an 



Adoration, Confession and Gratitude. 57 

increased desire to more worthily walk in the 
Christian's path that leads to life eternal. May 
we, good Lord, through the ensuing day make 
much progress in divine things, and as we 
journey through the world and its dangers, 
this day and all the days of our lives, may we 
lean upon Thine arm for help, and look upon 
Thy countenance for encouragement. With 
grace in our hearts, prayer on our lips, and 
abiding faith in Thy protection, the rough 
places will be made smooth, and God, even 
our own God, will be a security and a blessing. 
We would, from the deepest recesses of our 
hearts, ask Thee, O Lord, to save us from the 
tongue of slander, (as we prize a good reputa- 
tion as among Thy choicest blessings and better 
than rubies ;) oh, forbid that we should be 
assailed to our injury by this scourge of falsity ; 
if Thy will, however, that we should be thus 
tortured, may we. heavenly Father, whether 
through good or evil report, be content to say. 
"Thy will be done" without murmuring ; give 
unto us, indulgent Parent, such charity for the 
faults of others that we shall be especially 
guarded in our own words, that we may not 



58 Heart- Breathings* 

condemn unjustly ; incline us to reprove with 
gentleness, that we may thereby give evidence 
that love rather than anger is the motive-power ; 
grant us to accomplish the work Thou hast 
given us to do ; may we, O Lord, live in peace 
and charity with all men, so that with a good 
conscience, (of Thine approving,) we shall 
the rather show forth to the unconverted the 
joys, than the sorrows of life, giving evidence 
of the efficacy of Thy saving grace that happi- 
fies existence, and bids sighing and mourning 
to for ever flee away. 

O most adorable Father, as Thy children, 
instruct us aright that we may know how to 
act and how the better to merit Thine appro- 
bation, that Thou mayest remove from us our 
great troubles. Our children, blessed Saviour, 
are to us a well-spring of pleasure ; oh protect 
them in Thy great goodness ; shield them from 
the snares and temptations of this world ; may 
they right early seek and find Thee, to the 
comfort of their souls and the joy and prosper- 
ity of their lives ; enable us each and all so to 
live that when this transitory existence shall 



Adoration) Confession and Gratitude. 59 

end, we shall live for ever in Thy kingdom, 
for Christ's sake. Amen. 



"The day is Thine, and the night is Thine ; Thou hast prepared the 
light and the sun." 

HEAVENLY Father we are indeed Thine 
"by adoption and free grace ;" make us 
more thoroughly Thine in all things, and keep 
us Thine for ever. Our dependence rests en- 
tirely upon Thy condescending goodness, for 
of ourselves we cannot do a good act nor speak 
a good word, but Thou art an Omnipresent 
and Omniscient Father — "more willing to 
give than we are to receive," and granting to 
us, Thy unworthy creatures, blessings innumer- 
able, yea, "every good and perfect gift." Con- 
strain us, then, O Lord, to more fully dedicate 
our all to Thee, "in whom there is no varia- 
bleness nor shadow of turning," and so far as 
consistent with Thy will concerning us, sanc- 
tify our souls without reserve to Thy service in 
all things ; wherein through ignorance or desire, 



6o Heart- Breathings. 

we stray from Thy fold, bring us back again, 
good Lord, and forbid that we should again 
leave Thy favor ; may we continually abide in 
Thy presence and live after Thy command- 
ments ; to this end we beseech Thee that we 
may persevere in prayer and supplication to the 
advancement of good and the avoidance of evil, 
that being with Thee always we shall be the 
more and more likened unto Thee, and enabled 
thereby to attain to those joys on earth that will 
the better adapt us to the glories of heaven. 
As disease and trouble is abroad in the land, 
we pray Thee, Holy Saviour, to protect us 
from the pestilence, or else prepare us thor- 
oughly to wrestle with its pain, fully assured 
under all conditions, that Thy afflictions are but 
warnings that we may the better be prepared 
for Thy will concerning us. Thou art a just 
and merciful Saviour, save us then, O Lord, if 
Thv will, from the terrible ravages of this pes- 
tilence ; and whilst the thunderings of the 
terrors of Thy laws are warning the world of 
its wickedness, may this visitation constrain 
the hearts of the people to find comfort and 
consolation, a safe refuge and defence in Jesus 



Adoration, Co?ifession and Gratitude. 6l 

Christ and Him crucified, so that mourning 
mav be turned into rejoicing, and Thy name 
glorified to the ends of the earth. Believing 
that Thou art now present to hear our weak 
and imperfect supplications, we plead for our 
dear children : may they be preserved under 
Thv protection ; may they be made participa- 
tors in divine things ; may they increase in the 
knowledge of godliness as they grow in years ; 
make them. O Lord, true disciples of Thy 
church, that they may realize throughout life 
that through Thee only can they enjoy real 
happiness. Bless our friends and relations ; 
may our kindred, whether absent from us or in 
our midst, be instructed and preserved by Thv 
great goodness. If serving Thee, the true and 
living God, may they be built up in Thy most 
holy faith ; if wanderers, may their eyes be 
directed to the "Star in the East," that their 
feet may be impelled to run out after Thy 
blessings ; bring them, good Lord, into Thy 
fold, that they may realize that where Thou 
art there they would be also. Hear our prayers, 
O Lord, save us with the redeemed, we beg 
for Christ's sake. Amen. 
6 



62 Heart- Breathings. 

" I waited patiently for the Lord, and He inclined unto me and 
heard my calling." 

WE approach the Fountain of all happi- 
ness this morning, realizing our own 
unworthiness, conscious of our short-comings, 
and fully aware that we can offer no plea, 
through any merit of our own, in extenua- 
tion of our own sinfulness ; poor, weak, miser- 
able sinners, we do not deserve the slightest 
recognition from Thee, yet, O precious Saviour, 
we can rely on Thy promises, and through 
Thy intercession be made to rejoice that we 
have been with Christ and learned of Him. 
We thank Thee, good Lord, for the simpleness 
of prayer, for the efficacy of prayer, for that 
divine joy and comfort imparted through 
prayer, but above all, that we are thus privi- 
leged to converse with Thee, our adorable 
Redeemer, and receive that wisdom and com- 
fort of which the world knows nothing. Give 
us faith to believe continually in Thy precious 
promises, that we may the more abundantly 
realize Thy goodness towards us, and evidence 
to others the truthfulness of our profession, that 



Adoration, Confession and Gratitude. 63 

they, "seeing our good works, may glorify our 
Father who is in heaven." We would implore 
Thy presence with us, that we may be instant, 
in season and out of season, in glorifying Thy 
holy name, thereby influencing those around 
us to good works. We would ask Thy special 
blessing, glorified Redeemer, upon our beloved 
family ; save them from evil, shield them from 
harm ; protect them under the shadow of Thy 
wings, that we may be a u household of faith 
and a family of prayer ;" give us the ability to 
bring up our children in the u fear and admo- 
nition of the Lord," by precept and example ; 
may they learn of us as we learn of Christ, so 
that with us they may live and die, an honor 
and a blessing to all ; prepare the hearts of our 
darlings that they may right early seek the 
Lord and find Him to the joy and comfort of 
their souls. Bless those who are in any man- 
ner connected with us by the ties of nature. 
Grant to those who profess Thy name the 
divine unction from on high, that they may 
attain more abundantly to the holiness of the 
Lord ; that they may be saved from the devices 
of the evil one ; that they may be comforted in 



64 Heart-Breathings. 

all the sorrows of life. Constrain the hearts 
of those that know Thee not, " to turn to the 
Lord and seek salvation ;" may they see the 
sinfulness of sin ; may they be convinced that 
the world's pleasures are fleeting and visionary, 
that in God's favor only can true joys be found ; 
turn their hearts, turn their hearts, O Lord, 
towards Thy cross, that they may apply for 
and receive Thy blessings ; especially do our 
petitions ascend for those, who regarding not 
Thy commandments, would find happiness 
outside Thy fold ; convict, convert, sanctify and 
save them, we implore Thee. 

Bless all for whom it is our duty to pray — the 
sick and the suffering, the poor and the needy, 
the fatherless and widow, the distressed and dis- 
consolate, wherever they are — and hasten on 
the glorious time when all the nations of the 
earth shall rejoice as we rejoice, and the desert 
shall bloom and blossom as the rose. Go with 
us into the world and its cares ; protect us 
from evil thoughts ; make us just and upright 
in all our dealings ; and grant that we enter not 
into temptation. Hear our prayers, O Lord ; 
answer our petitions, and we will ascribe all 



Adoration, Co?ifession and Gratitude. 65 

the glory to Thee, our most blessed Saviour, 
for ever. Amen. 



' : Great are the troubles of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth 
him out of them all." 

HOLY Saviour, the dangers of the night 
are past ; Thou hast blessed our hours 
of sleep with Thy protection, and we are pri- 
vileged once more amidst our home comforts 
to unite in praising God for the light of another 
day. " What shall we render unto Thee for 
all Thy benefits toward us ; ? ' surely we do not 
deserve, through any merits of our own, these 
continued blessings : how can we, Lord, suffi- 
ciently magnify and adore Thy holy name, 
for Thy goodness and loving-kindness? Re- 
ceive, we beseech Thee, our bodies and our 
souls as all the sacrifice we can offer ; do with 
us as in Thy good wisdom Thou seest best, for 
all that we have and all that we are belongs to 
The, O most adorable Creator. May we con- 
tinually reach out after Thy blessings in faith, 
6* 



66 Heart-Breathings, 

believing that the giving enriches us and does 
not impoverish Thee ; that Thou canst supply 
our every want, and, glory be to Thy Holy 
Name, will do so, but for the simple asking ; 
wicked men may scoff at us, the devil may 
offer his allurements, the world may dazzle 
our eyes with seeming pleasures, pride may 
deride us, friends may forsake us, enemies may 
injure us, but, trusting in Thee, the " Giver of 
every good and perfect gift," the grasp is firm, 
the step elastic, the eye smiles with joy, and, 
being with Christ, we copy Christ, and are 
blessed with heaven on earth. O Lord, our 
risen Saviour, how can we give Thee such 
thanks as are justly Thine for Thine inestima- 
ble blessings ? We thank Thee, that thou hast 
given us an insight of Thy transcendent good- 
ness ; " that whereas we were once blind we 
now see ;" that though deserving Thine ever- 
lasting condemnation, in the plenitude of Thy 
mercy, Thou hast vouchsafed to us a happy 
prospect of a blessed hereafter ; that we can 
commune with Thee on this earth, and far bet- 
ter, see Thee in Thy majestic glory among the 
saints in heaven, when called hence — shall we 



Adoration, Confession and Gratitude. 67 

not then, O Lord, rejoice and be glad, yea, re- 
joice with exceeding joy for the blessed hope 
that is within us? 

Let Thy blessed Gospel, Lord, run and be 
glorified until the heathen shall know Thee, 
and all the ends of the earth shall praise Thee ; 
then, at Thy second coming, grant us, O 
Christ, a home among the sanctified and re- 
deemed, that we may ascribe unceasing praises 
to the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, our 
exalted Triune God. Amen. 



"Eschew evil and do good ; seek peace, and pursue it." 

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, 
Author and finisher of our faith, our 
Creator, Preserver and Benefactor, from our 
earliest recollections we have been the recipi- 
ents of Thy goodness ; in the midst of deserved 
wrath Thou hast remembered mercy towards 
us, and when we have erred and strayed from 
Thy ways, like lost sheep, as a Good Shep- 
herd, Thou hast again received us in Thy fold. 



68 Heart-Breathi?igs. 

Suffer us, we beseech Thee, to return our un- 
feigned thanks for that preserving care, which 
has ever been around and about us. Surely 
"we are the spared monuments of Thy good- 
ness." As we approach Thy Mercy-Seat this 
morning, conscious of our own infirmities, we 
trust Thee in Thy promises, that thou wilt be 
a present God with us, and that we shall not 
plead in vain for those blessings which are as 
a well-spring of pleasure to our famishing 
souls. Where we fail in asking through our 
own ignorance and weakness, fail Thou not in 
giving of Thy abundance, we most humbly 
beseech Thee, but give us to realize with all 
Thy people that Thou wilt feed our souls with 
Thy heavenly manna. Give us a participa- 
tion in Thy reconciling grace to the good of 
our souls, that we may rejoice yet more 
abundantly in the knowledge of the fact, that 
our petitions are not in vain. 

Bless our land and nation ; give wisdom to 
those who are in high authority ; give counsel 
to the law-makers — teach them the necessity of 
conforming their words and actions to Thy 
holy laws, that justice and religion may go 



Adoration, Confession and Gratitude. 69 

hand in hand, and to the end that we may be- 
come a holy people. " zealous of good works ;" 
incline the hearts of those who know Thee not, 
to seek first the Kingdom of Heaven. Show 
the sinner, O Lord, the wickedness of his 
course ; turn him from his blindness, and open 
his eyes to the glorious light of the Gospel. 
Spread pure and undefiled religion throughout 
the length and breadth of our land ; may 
prayer and praise abound in the palace and in 
the hamlet ; may the nations of the earth re- 
joice in the glory of God ; hasten on the glori- 
ous time when all shall come to know Thee, 
whom to know aright is life eternal. Grant, 
good Lord, to bless us in all the relations of 
life ; may all that we do or say be in conformity 
with Thy will concerning us ; teach us more 
fully " to watch and pray lest we enter into 
temptation ;" may we never forget that help 
alone cometh from Thee and through Thee, 
and that by Thy mediatorial goodness we can 
attain to good works ; O teach us, good Lord, 
that we may profit in holiness and merit the 
approbation of " well done, good and faithful 
servants." In Tlry kindness condescend to 



70 Heart- Breathings. 

watch over our household ; bless our darling 
children, and grant that they may be brought 
up to glorify Thy name. Bless our connec- 
tions ; endue them with every good ; curb their 
passions ; encourage their endeavors to live 
near Thy side, and grant, O Heavenly Father, 
to incline their hearts, one and all, to live in 
peace and good cheer with each other, that so 
at the last, they with us may join that Heavenly 
Host who are for ever rejoicing in Thy king- 
dom. Keep us this day in Thy Holy keeping ; 
vouchsafe to us Thy continual presence ; and 
finally, with beloved ones gone before us, and 
best of all, with Christ, our living Head, bring 
us to heaven, we beg for Jesus' sake. Amen. 



" Oh, taste and see how gracious the Lord is : blessed is the man 
that trusteth in Him." 

GOOD Lord, " the young lions do lack and 
suffer hunger, but they that seek the 
Lork shall not want any good thing." How 
blessed Thy precious promises to us ; how 
soul-inspiring thy continual presence with us ; 



Adoration. Confession and Gratitude. 71 

how elevating the thought that we can t; be- 
come heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ" 
in Thy Kingdom ! It raises us above this poor 
sinful world ; it gives us a foretaste of that 
heaven of happiness which is in reservation 
for us ; it inspires our thoughts ; it purifies our 
motives ; it ennobles our being ; it sanctifies 
our souls ; it is the true perfection of happi- 
ness here, and full faith in attaining all the 
glories of a thrice blessed hereafter. May we, 
O Holy Jesus, our risen Saviour, drink deep 
from this fountain of God's love, until we shall 
become full of Thy glory and rejoice for ever- 
more. May we. O Lord, as we advance in 
years, go onward and upward towards divine 
perfection. Arm us with the Christian armor, 
that we may fight the fight of faith, " renounce 
the devil and all his works, the pomps and 
vanities of this wicked world," and with the 
breast-plate of righteousness as our protection, 
and the shield of faith as our constant com- 
panion, go on from conquering to conquest, 
until we shall destroy the last enemy and be 
crowned with victory by the great Captain of 
our Salvation ; then, O Lord, will we ascribe 



72 Heart-Breathings. 

everlasting praises to Thee, our Creator, Pre- 
server and blessed Saviour. 

We trust, O Lord, that we are abundantly 
thankful for the many blessings we now enjoy. 
Blessed above hundreds of others, in the very 
many comforts Thou hast granted unto us, to 
murmur is to sin ; we would, therefore, pray 
Thee to save us from repining ; make us, we 
beseech Thee, truly humble and thankful for 
all Thy creature comforts, that we may show 
to those around us, not a murmuring spirit, 
but a contrite, humble and thankful heart, for 
the many rich blessings from Thy store-house 
of plenty. Make us truthful and sincere, we 
beseech Thee, in our words and dealings with 
our fellow-men ; forbid, O Lord, that we should 
ever so far degrade our high calling as to devi- 
ate from Thy expressed commands in this 
respect ; may we be guarded, O Lord, in every 
word, deed and action, so that we will never 
feel the blush of shame, nor fear the conse- 
quences of a lying tongue or a deceitful heart ; 
may we, O Lord, be so circumspect in our lives 
as to cause others to " see our good works, and 
glorify our heavenly Father. " 



Adoration, Confession a?id Gratitude. 73 

Watch over us, heavenly Father, as we go 
out into the world ; shield us, we most humbly 
beseech Thee, from the crafty enemy of our 
souls, who would allure us to danger ; may we 
destroy this power by the efficacy of prayer ; 
may the name of our blessed Saviour ever be 
upon our lips, and His holy religion in our 
hearts ; then we shall be prepared for every 
contingency, and enabled to cast from us every- 
thing that would harm us. Hear our prayers 
for such blessings as Thou seest we need ; bless 
our friends and our enemies ; sanctify us in all 
good ; instruct us in all wisdom, so that we 
may become the more and more like unto 
Thee, our living Head. All of which we beg, 
for Christ's sake. Amen. 



" Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips that they speak no guile." 

BLESSED Redeemer, our Lord and Saviour 
Jesus Christ, through whose intercession 
alone we are made to participate in those good 
things which administer to our happiness, we, 

7 



74 Heart-Breathings. 

Thy blood-bought followers, children by adop- 
tion of the meek and lowly Lamb, prostrate 
ourselves in humble reliance that Thou wilt 
hear our prayers, and grant us those blessings 
we need as erring children. Conscious of in- 
firmities, we look to Thee as the only source 
from which we can possibly derive that holy 
comfort which adds joy to our existence, and 
insures a hope within us which we would not 
exchange for gold or rubies — a hope reaching 
far beyond u this vale of tears," and soaring to 
those realms of bliss where Thou art, our once 
crucified, now risen, Saviour, where many be- 
loved ones are, where cherubim and seraphim 
chant everlasting praises to Thee, O Lord, 
where sorrow is no more, but joy reigns for 
ever, in heaven, our resting-place. 

We beseech Thee to receive us, O Lord, 
more fully into Thy favor ; may we consecrate 
our entire existence to Thy service; " Thy 
ways are ways of pleasantness ;" O may we, 
good Lord, in soul and body be dedicated to 
Thy cause ; may we from day to day learn 
more and more of Thee, increasing continually 
in the wisdom, strength and beauty of right- 



Adoration, Co?ifession and Gratitude. 75 

eousness, "becoming rooted and grounded" in 
every good word and work, pressing onward 
from grace to greater grace, until we are ena- 
bled by the eye of faith to see Thee in every- 
thing, and appreciate thoroughly " Thy good- 
ness and loving-kindness which has followed 
us all the days of our life." 

In this sinful world we are continually beset 
by the evil one ; his temptations would allure 
us to destruction ; his machinations would lead 
us to forget Thee, the Source of all happiness. 
Strengthen us, good Lord, with Thy presence 
in the hour of danger, that we may cast away, 
under whatever guise, the fascination of the 
enemy of our souls, and, laying aside our be- 
setting sins, "press toward the mark for the 
prize of the high calling of God in Christ 
Jesus." 

May we be, O Lord, really and truly Thy 
chosen ones, that in our motives, actions and 
conversation, those around us may see in us 
Thy holy image, and know of a surety that 
Christ reigns in our hearts ; being thus through 
Thy assistance made the ministers of good 
works to the salvation of precious souls, then 



*j6 Heart- Breathings, 

will we rejoice and give thanks that we are in 
any manner instrumental in bringing sinners to 
Thee, the Fountain of Mercy. With hearts 
sincere, we pray alike for our friends and our 
enemies ; bless those who love us and pray for 
us ; bless those who curse and abuse us ; keep 
us from being a hindrance in any manner to 
those who would seek Thy favor ; may w T e be 
just to all men in the business transactions of 
life ; save us from falsehood, vituperation, slan- 
der, deceit and dishonor ; may we, O Lord, 
" do unto others as we would be done by ;" 
may we be charitable with all, thereby making 
for ourselves an easy conscience, and receiving 
as our reward the blessings of God. Our 
hearts run out after those who are bound to us 
by every tie of love that earth affords — our 
happy little family circle here. O Lord, make 
for us a Paradise on earth ; here may true reli- 
gion be sought and found ; here may the bless- 
ings of God abound. How happy we shall be 
if Thy presence abides with us here ; how 
much our love will increase, good Lord, for 
Thee and each other, and how truly can we 
then say, here Jesus reigns, our loving, faithful 



Adoration, Confession and Gratitude. 77 

friend ! Which may God grant, if His good 
pleasure, for our Redeemer's sake. Amen. 



" let me have understanding in the way of godliness/' 

OH ! what a sublime thought, gracious 
Father, that we are granted the happv 
privilege, alike with Thine angels in heaven, 
to approach Thy presence. Whilst they with 
enraptured vision gaze upon Thy matchless 
beauties, we by a glorious faith are permitted 
to see Thee spiritually, whilst that "still small 
voice 1 ' tells us we are with Thee and learning 
those lessons of wisdom which our God-Tutor 
can only impart. Is it thus with us, good Lord, 
the humblest, least deserving and weakest of 
Thy creatures? Are we so decidedly Thy 
children by adoption and free grace? Can we 
realize that whilst we are so inconsistent in 
most things, so given to wickedness, so full of 
uncleanness that Thou art more willing to give 
than we are to receive ; that Thou dost open 
the door to our supplications and give us audi- 
7* 



78 Heart-Breathings. 

ence in Thy presence, forgiving our transgres- 
sions, granting us cheering anticipations, and 
rilling our sinful hearts with joys unutterable ? 
Surely "Thy ways are past finding out," for 
had we our deserts, we should be banished 
from Thy presence and the glories of Thy 
countenance for ever ! All glory to Thy great 
goodness and infinite condescension that Thou 
dost remember Thy finite creatures when they 
seek Thy favor ; that Thou dost hear, receive 
and bless the prayers of the humble and con- 
trite heart ! O Lord, Thy rod of affliction 
may be deservedly applied to our discomfort 
and unhappiness ; we may be carried into the 
wilderness of despondency and doubt ; the 
storm-clouds of adversity may darken the hori- 
zon of brightness ; friends may forsake us, 
enemies overwhelm us, disease overtake us, 
and death itself be desired as a happy relief, 
yet would we cleave to Thee only as the phy- 
sician of our souls, who can at Thy good will 
and pleasure remove the stings, and grant that 
health of body and mind which shall be the 
more abundantly conducive to our happiness 
here and safety hereafter. Thy chastening 



Adoration. Confession and Gratitude. 79 

hand is but a corrective for our sinful natures. 
and the more fully convinces us of our own 
weakness and dependence ; we rejoice, there- 
fore, O Lord, in those afflictions, which are but 
disguised blessings, preparing us for the health- 
ful enjoyment of the resulting ease and happi- 
ness, of which otherwise we may have been 
debarred. 

We cannot ask any good thing within Thy 
providence, good Lord, (in faith believing) 
that Thou wilt not grant ; we. therefore, again 
beseech Thee to look down with especial favor 
upon our household ; bless our darlings, our 
servants, and all who with us are associated ; 
may we, the heads of the family, be continu- 
ally taught of Thee, becoming proficient in the 
duties of our position, and at all times magnifv 
Thy holy name and manifest Thy goodness by 
our chaste conversation and exemplary deport- 
ment, so that children and dependents may. 
with us, be Thy true disciples — thus inviting 
and securing Thy guardian protection within 
our dwelling ; may no jarring or discordant 
note ever find entrance here, but being of one 
mind and one heart, worship and serve God 



80 Heart-Breathings. 

in the bonds of love and in the unity of the 
Spirit. Give unto those near and dear to us 
the special tokens of Thy love ; fold our be- 
loved friends and connections in the arms of 
Thy mercy ; guide them and us by Thine un- 
erring counsel, and grant that in these days of 
blasphemy, trouble, rebuke, iniquity and trans- 
gression — the enemy all around us — that we 
may not abuse our time and talents by petty 
and puny dissensions, by unprofitable disputes, 
by idle conversation ; may the petty differences 
in our views be overcome by the very many 
opinions in which we unite, so that peace and 
quietness may find a habitation among us con- 
tinually. Grant, heavenly Father, that in our 
various duties through life, Thy favor resting 
upon us, Thy love may soften and sanctify all 
our trials. 

May we all be one in Christ, our Saviour, 
here, and one in glory everlasting ^ we beg 
through Thy merits, O holy Saviour. Amen. 



Adoration, Confession and Gratitude. 81 

" Hear my prayer, Lord, and let my crying come unto Thee." 

OUR morning praises again ascend on high 
to the Searcher of all hearts. As the 
descent of the Holy Spirit finds lodgment in 
. our souls, we are comforted and made to rejoice 
in the heart-felt assurance of Christ within us, 
the hope of glory. Great and marvelous are 
Thy ways, O Lord God of hosts, wonderful 
in power, supreme in authority, yet conde- 
scending to grant to us, the veriest sinners, the 
means whereby we can be saved, and an inter- 
cessor to plead in extenuation of our faults and 
unworthiness, a faithful, loving elder brother 
assuming our iniquities, pleading in terms of 
compassion for miserable wretches, and secur- 
ing for us a hope of happiness reaching far 
beyond this vale of tears. We adore Thee, 
holy Father ; we reverence Thy holy name ; 
we worship at the feet of Thy once crucified 
and now risen Son ; we find pleasure in Thy 
courts ; we rejoice in Thy covenanted promises, 
which are fulfilled in Thy present mercies ; we 
would be wholly and entirely, all that we have 
and all that we are, Thine, only Thine. Let 



82 He art- Breathings. 

Thy Holy Spirit abide with us always, if such- 
is Thy good pleasure — eradicating every ap- 
pearance of evil, destroying every unprofitable 
member, giving speech to our tongues, light to 
our eyes, work for our hands, comprehension 
to our reason, understanding to our judgment, 
and peace to our souls — so that we may the 
more especially prove good workmen in the 
temple of the Lord. Heavenly Father, we 
would be received as faithful stewards at the 
last ; then, O Lord, as Thou hast the lease of 
our lives, the very breath of our existence being 
in Thy keeping, teach us so to dedicate to Thy 
service each year, month, week, day, hour and 
minute of our being, that, as an army with 
banners, our good works may be marshalled 
before Thee in testimony of our appreciation 
of Thy goodness towards us ; then receiving 
from Thee the welcome plaudit "well done, 
good and faithful servants/' we shall be privi- 
leged with Thy saints to magnify and adore 
Thy holy name throughout the countless ages 
of eternity. Hope full of glory ! Anticipated 
joy unspeakable ! Our enraptured souls, whilst 
fettered here, cry out "glory to God in the 



Adoration, Confession and Gratitude. 83 

highest. ? ' who fills our hearts with such a happv 
foretaste of undoubted privilege, secured to us 
through the blood of the Lamb. We are not 
so selfish. Divine Master, as to confine within 
the limits of our own endearing ties the desires 
of our hearts, for such a happv consummation 
— our hearts run out to all around us. Save. 
good Lord, the purchase of Thy blood : bring 
into the green pastures of religion the wander- 
ing sheep who are without a Shepherd : away 
from Thee, thev find pleasure onlv in the works 
of darkness : oh. cause them to "taste and see 
that the Lord is good.*' Many there are who 
would adorn Thy kingdom, if by some provi- 
dence they were awakened from the delusion 
which overshadows them. If it is Thy will, 
instruct us. the weakest of Thy children, that 
we may awaken them from this death-slumber 
to their souls. O Lord, we should still more 
adore Thee if this happy privilege could be 
ours. Can we. precious Saviour, advance Thy 
kingdom in this respect? Show us our duty 
and give us the strength to perform it. and we 
will yield Thee unceasing praise. 

At such time and in such manner as Thou 



84 Heart- Breathings. 

seest best, grant our petitions in behalf of our 
family ; give to us the blessings of an entire 
happy family, completely consecrated to Thee 
in all things, so that, whether living or dying, 
we may be found on the Lord's side. Bless 
the fatherless and the widow, the sick and the 
dying, the poor and the disconsolate, the soldier 
and the sailor ; may we all rejoice in one faith 
and one baptism, and be eventually saved in 
Thy kingdom, for Christ's sake. Amen. 



" Whoso leadeth a godly life, he shall be my servant." 

OTHOU, great Redeemer and Saviour of 
all who put their trust in Thee, our 
Lord Jesus Christ, as we again assemble for 
family worship, surrounded by those whom 
Thou hast given us, as a comfort and a bless- 
ing, we would approach Thee in childlike 
simplicity and with reverential awe to render 
unto Thee renewed thanks that we have been 
privileged to awaken to the light of another 
day, in the enjoyment of health and with the 



Adoration, Confession and Gratitude. 8$ 

smiles of Thy countenance still resting upon 
us. We again enter upon the privileges and 
duties of day-life, whether for sorrow or joy, 
in distress and anguish, or in happiness and 
blessings, fully realizing it is but a part of Thy 
plan for our everlasting good. Thou canst, in 
Thy good providence, save us from the evils 
that surround us in our dealings with mankind ; 
Thou canst overturn the craft, malice and 
deceit of those who would injure us ; O may 
we so love Thee, fear Thee, and keep Thy 
commandments, as to secure that abiding faith 
which assures us that all things work together 
for good to the children of God. If it is Thy 
good pleasure, may we journey through life in 
peace with all men ; make our crooked paths 
straight. O Lord, incline us to watch and 
pray continually, and in all things show forth 
Thy glory ; grant us resignation when trials 
come ; overrule our purposes and ways in all 
things, to the end that we may the better adorn 
our profession and merit Thy approbation, and 
though trials and dangers may come for a sea- 
son, may we never fail to see how blessed and 
happy it is to have the Lord for our God. We 
s 



86 Heart-Breathings. 

know, heavenly Father, how empty, how un- 
suitable, how vain and transitory are all the 
pleasures of this world ; oh may our hearts be 
steadfastly fixed on Christ ; may we yield our 
bodies and souls to His service, where true 
happiness can alone be found. Annoyances of 
many kinds beset our pathway ; petty griev- 
ances (imaginary and real) distract our thoughts 
and cause us temporarily to forget to look up 
to Thee, the Source of all comfort ; we cannot 
at all times view the dispensations of Thy 
providence as corrections for our good ; we 
beseech Thee, the Divine Comforter, to kindle 
within us the spark of righteousness, until it 
shall become a flame of burning love for Thee, 
and we beseech Thee for an increase of such 
faith as shall cause us to lay hold of Thy 
promises and secure for ourselves a shield 
against every besetment. Establish us fully as 
members of Thy family, and may we view 
every affliction as parental correction for our 
good, and every blessing as a donation of 
loving-kindness from Thy bountiful hands. 
Endue us with those graces that will adorn 
Thy family ; preserve us always in Thy especial 



Adoration, Confession and Gratitude. 87 

keeping ; grant, good Lord, to dwell in the 
midst of our family circle ; give us so to un- 
derstand godliness in all things that we may 
impart to those within our household rich in- 
structions in righteousness, that we may be a 
shining light and bright example to others ; 
let Thy Holy Spirit take possession of our hearts 
and abide there always. We are taught in 
Thy holy book, " That a word fitly spoken is 
like apples of gold in pictures of silver ;" O 
Lord, so control our conversation and thoughts 
that the words of our lips and the meditations 
of our "hearts, may be in accordance with Thy 
Divine will ; may we never find expression for 
harsh or unnecessary language, but may we so 
observe Thy teachings as to fitly apply our 
words to the good of the souls of our fellows, 
and to our own everlasting welfare. 

Hear our prayers in behalf of our relatives 
and friends, for the stranger and for our enemies, 
for the church and for the state, for the beg- 
gared and the needy, for the afflicted and the 
dying ; bestow on all the rich blessings of Thy 
grace ; prepare us for every trial ; give us 
the Christian's love and the Christian's faith, 



88 Heart-Breathings, 

and at last save us, and grant us a happy ad- 
mission into Thy Kingdom, we beg for Thy 
Son's sake. Amen. 



" So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts 
unto wisdom." 

OLORD God of Israel, it is our bounden 
duty, as also a happy privilege, to avail 
ourselves of this means of grace, whereby we 
are made partakers of divine blessings, strength- 
ened, renewed, and made strong in holy desires, 
and advanced greatly in spiritual good. We 
approach Thee with humble and contrite 
hearts, supplicating forgiveness for our many 
and grievous transgressions, in faith believing 
Thy precious promises, and with abundant 
thanks for Thy tender mercies toward us, sor- 
rowing in sincere repentance for the magni- 
tude and variety of our sins, which come up 
before Thy presence continually to our con- 
demnation. We supplicate, in all sincerity, 
for that pardon which yields relief to the con- 



Adoration, Confession and Gratitude. 89 

science which condemns us ; in faith believing 
that as thou didst fulfil the covenanted promises 
vouchsafed in the Old Testament Scriptures, 
wherein our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, 
appeared on earth in the form of a man and 
made that propitiatory sacrifice which secures 
to us redemption and salvation, so also the 
cheering promises of the New Testament 
Scriptures are to us as the gentle dew, giving 
growth, health and maturity to our regenerated 
hearts ; with thanksgiving, therefore, we rejoice 
and are glad that we are numbered among 
Thine elect, and realize a foretaste of those 
good things which are in reservation for Thy 
chosen people. 

Incline the heart of the disobedient to forsake 
unrighteousness ; sanctify the heart of the be- 
liever in all goodness ; awaken the dispirited 
and lukewarm to zeal and activity ; clothe us 
with the garment of meekness and good works ; 
endue us with such graces as shall most adorn 
the children of Thy family, so that in every 
condition in life, and under all circumstances, 
we shall earnestly and nobly " come up to the 
help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord 
8 * 



90 Heart-Breathings. 

against the mighty." Give us patience, en- 
durance, circumspection, charity and love ; re- 
move far from us the many evils to which we 
are exposed ; being in all things resigned to 
Thy will, may we endure hardships as good 
soldiers, fighting the good fight of faith and 
laying up for ourselves a goodly inheritance in 
the habitations of the blest. 

O Lord, eradicate " the sin that so easily 
besets us ;" be our Governor and Counsellor, 
our Strength and our Wisdom ; calm and sub- 
due our passions ; regulate our desires; teach 
us to watch as well as pray, lest we be found 
among the. rejected. We would be with Thee 
always ; we would not be found wanting 
" when Thou makest up Thy jewels ;" secure 
us Thine, heavenly Father, by granting unto 
us Thy divine guidance, then shall we indeed 
be wise in all manner of godliness, and be 
fitted and prepared for every contingency. 
Having Thee for our Teacher we can laugh to 
scorn the world's wisdom, and become prodi- 
gies in the knowledge that profiteth our souls. 

Even here, O Lord, in our midst, Thou art 
present, otherwise we should be miserable out- 



Adoration, Confession and Gratitude. 91 

casts. We realize Thine abounding and 
abundant goodness, in the preservation of our 
bodies and our souls, in that we are spared the 
ravages of disease, and granted the comforts 
of a happy home ; our souls are blest with the 
indwelling of Thy Holy Spirit ; we are not 
cursed with unbelief, nor debarred the privilege 
of reading Thy holy word ; it seems as though 
we were the especial objects of Thy kindness 
and protection, and therefore we offer to Thee 
all that we have and all that we are. When 
crosses come, O Lord, may we receive and 
endure them with Christian fortitude, in all 
things praising God. Thou dost not afflict 
but for good ; Thou dost not grieve to harm ; 
all thy ways are just ways, and if past finding 
out on this earth, a revelation will be granted 
to us hereafter which will prove Thy justice 
and mercy. Hear our prayers, good Lord, 
and wherein we fail in our petitions, do " Thou 
that understandest the thoughts afar off," give 
unto us such blessings as Thou seest we need, 
and we will give Thee all the glory, now, 
henceforth and for ever. Amen. 



lEbentttfl ^rajw* 

" Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.'' 
Ps. xxx. 5. 

OGOD, heavenly Father, as the shadows 
of the night veil from our vision the 
light of the day, as darkness reigns abroad, as 
the bustling cares of day-life give way to the 
quiet repose of evening, as w r e prepare for that 
dream-life of slumber, to awaken protected by 
Thy watchful care, may we hold sweet con- 
verse with Thee, and find that relief from trial, 
and that joyous hope which flows only from 
Thy fountain of goodness. 

Worldly pleasures, friendship's ties, love's 
endearments, life itself may change, but Thou, 
O Lord, art immutable ; Thou art our Jesus, 
" the same yesterday, to-day and for ever." The 
firmament above us, the earth beneath us, the 
elements around us, all nature may change, but 
92 



Evening Prayer. 93 

Thou, O Lord, art the same kind, indulgent, 
omnipresent Father. How can we then, O 
precious Saviour, sufficiently testify our love 
for Thee? Are we not "prone to wander from 
Thee as the sparks to fly upw T ard ?" And yet 
dost Thou not continually regard us in Thy 
mercy? All honor, praise and glory we as- 
cribe to Thee from our grateful hearts that 
Thou art thus mindful of us. 

Jesus, Thy perpetual and always pervading 
presence saves us from many snares ; and 
when the frail bark is tossed upon the waves 
of adversity and almost shipwrecked, then 
Thou art present, commanding the waves to be 
still. "He that keepeth Israel neither slum- 
bers nor sleeps." We cannot be cast down 
nor discouraged when Thou art with us ; our 
souls can never know night whilst we have the 
reflection of Thy glorious radiance. How 
sanctifying the assurance of Thy loving words, 
"Lo, I am with you alway," wiping away 
every tear, comforting all our sorrows, Thy ear 
open to every prayer, knowing the besetting 
sins of our nature, and willing to grant us 
present help, Thy treasury of goodness and 



94 Heart-Breathings. 

loving-kindness yielding continual relief^ and 
yet never exhausted, the Master-builder supply- 
ing every stone and pillar in the foundation 
of true and living faith ; we worship, adore 
and bless Thy holy name, O Lord God of 
Israel. 

We are especially indebted to Thee for the 
great and good blessings we enjoy in our family 
relations ; our dear children are cared for by 
Thee in Thy condescending goodness — saved 
from affliction and distress ; our creature com- 
forts are all from Thy bountiful hands ; Thou 
hast granted us food and i-aiment in abundance ; 
we are spared the famine and the pestilence ; 
we are neither deformed nor idiotic ; blessed 
far above others in these and like benefits, we 
will anew repair to Thy cross and supplicate 
the Holy Spirit and Divine Comforter to give 
us grateful hearts that we may properly appre- 
ciate and worthily manifest Thy goodness in 
all things. 

Whilst realizing sincere gratitude for Thy 
direct interposition, we would pray for its ex- 
tension to the ends of the earth ; to this end 
convince, O Lord, a wicked and gainsaying 



Evening Prayer. 95 

people to fly to the only hope of refuge, in 
Thv blood-stained cross : when justice no more 
shall avenge Thine honor, but mercy trium- 
phant dispense happiness to every living crea- 
ture, and then a rejoicing and emancipated 
world shall own Thee as Lord, and no longer 
be scourged for their wickedness, but Jew and 
Gentile rejoice alike in Thee, the Prince of 
Peace. 

May we fulfil the duties of our life to Thy 
honor and glory, whether our lot be 
amongst the sinful or the godly : give us the 
ability* and the will to bear the cross as our 
shield, despite contumelv or praise : O may we 
► do some good in Thv service, that we may be 
the more worthy of Thy blessings : fit us. if 
Thy good pleasure, to dispense good to others, 
by admonition, advice, reproof and example, 
so that we mav merit the encouraging words : 
••Well done, good and faithful servant." Pre- 
serve us from uncharitableness. O Lord, incline 
us to "judge not that we be not judged ;" 
knowing our own many weaknesses, may we 
not scorn or abuse others, but rather prav that 
all mav have Thv love to soften the trials of 



96 Heart-Breathings. 

life, and Thy sanctifying grace to withstand 
temptation : all of which we ask Thee to grant 
us, in Thy great mercy, for the Redeemer's 
sake. Amen. 



In affliction. 

" Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall 
be whiter than snow." 
u Our light afflictions are but for a moment." 

OUR petitions are especially directed to 
Thee, the great Physician of our souls 
and bodies, in consequence of Thy afflicting 
Providence. For some good and wise purpose, 
we doubt not, Thou hast seen fit to visit us 
with disease and trouble. We do not presume 
to complain or repine at Thy will concerning 
us, for although Thy ways are past finding out. 
Thy hand of affliction is never extended but 
for our good. Our dearly beloved is racked 
with pain and scorched with fever, debarred 
that healthful comfort with which we are blest ; 
Thou art a physician whose skill has never 
been baffled ; we cry unto Thee in this the 
day of affliction to remove the disorder, and 
restore to health again Thy sick servant, who 
9 97 



98 Heart-Breathings. 

may from this correction become the better 
satisfied of Thy power and goodness, and be 
the more useful in advancing the glory of Thy 
kingdom ; or, if Thou so ordainest, give that 
holy faith and calm resignation, which shall 
soften pain and secure a happy exit from this 
vile earth, and a glorious entrance into Thy 
heavenly paradise, where affliction and sorrow 
are for ever done away. Thy will be done, 
not ours, O Lord. To Thee alone belongs 
might, majesty and dominion. Into Thy hands 
we resign our bodies and our souls. Whether 
in affliction or health, in adversity or prosperity, 
may we abide under the shadow of Thy wings 
and realize the comfortable assurance, " Lo, I 
am with you alway," for Christ, the Redeemer's 
sake. Amen. 



"ZUt Siit at tlje dfeet of fcsus." 

t; More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold ; 
sweeter also than honey and the honey-comb." 

WE sit at the feet of Jesus ! O Thou who 
art our best beloved, our Father and 
our Elder Brother, we are inspired with pro- 
found respect, heartfelt gratitude and holy ado- 
ration for this great, good and undeserved 
privilege. When sore affliction visits us per- 
sonally, racking with pain and scorching with 
fever, with the system prostrated and reason 
almost dethroned, our hearts rejoice within us 
that we can ki sit at the feet of Jesus" and find 
ease and consolation. When the venomous 
tongue of slander would destroy that which we 
dearly prize ; when our reputation in its honest 
integrity is assailed, calumniated, and made a 
jest and by-word ; when insinuation, innuendo, 
and vile reproach is heaped upon us, then do 
our hearts rejoice, that we can ••sit at the feet 

99 



ioo Heart-Breathings. 

of Jesus" and defy the poisonous darts of evil 
intention. When we are called upon to mourn 
the loss of the dear departed ; when death 
stalks abroad in the land, and snatches from us 
our heart's idols ; as we weep for our dearest 
friends now no more ; when darkness over- 
shadows the brightness of our existence and all 
seems gloomy and lost, then do our hearts re- 
joice that we can " sit at the feet of Jesus" 
and derive those comforts which yield resigna- 
tion and joy. u Thy will be done," not ours, 
O Lord. When the heart is bowed down with 
weight of woe at the magnitude, enormity and 
continual repetition of those sins which beset 
us ; when the Enemy of our souls with his 
subtlety would draw our hearts away from the 
true and living Fountain of happiness ; when 
we mourn as without hope, and cannot find com- 
fort on earth, then do our hearts rejoice that we 
can " sit at the feet of Jesus" and find a holy 
relief and satisfaction inexpressible that we 
are in sweet communion with God. When 
reverses come upon us, and the bright prospec- 
tive of to-day is but a distressing reality on the 
morrow; as " riches take to themselves wings 



We Sit at the Feet of Jesus. ioi 

and fly away," and all the horrors of poverty 
and distress stare us in the face to fret and 
worry us out of reason ; when penury and 
want make us dread starvation as our portion, 
then do our hearts rejoice that we can " sit at 
the feet of Jesus" and find there an abiding 
faith that " they that love Him ne'er shall 
want." When human nature all around us 
seems depraved ; when men in devil's shape 
commit atrocities too horrible to contemplate : 
when wickedness abounds throughout the land. 
and brother rises up against brother to slay : 
when the devil's kingdom upon earth assumes 
supremacy ; when we are cast down in medi- 
tating the sins of the people, then do our hearts 
rejoice that we can " sit at the feet of Jesus," 
and He will guide our feet into the right path. 
and grant unto us such riches of grace that we 
can be a light to attract others to the fold of 
Christ. When the night is past, under God's 
protecting care, and we awaken to the light of 
dav ; in retrospecting His goodness and pre- 
servation through all the days and nights of our 
life ; in beholding His manifest and manifold 
blessings unto us and our family ; in realizing 
9 * 



102 Heart-Breathings. 

His saving grace to us poor sinners, as the 
continual recipients of undeserved comforts, as 
the worshippers at His shrine, as the followers 
of the meek and lowly Jesus ; in consideration 
of His pain and suffering upon the cross for 
our souls ; in glorification of His blessed res- 
urrection and ascension ; for His intercession 
and mediatorial interest in our behalf at the 
right hand of the Father ; through faith in His 
precious promises ; as in testimony for His ten- 
der mercies vouchsafed to us from the cradle ; 
when we see in Thee our all and in all — "the 
giver of every good and perfect gift," our 
Father and our Brother, the same yesterday, 
to-day, and for ever — God in all and above all, 
transcendent in glory, yet condescending to 
pity our infirmities, and willing to relieve our 
wants, unchanged and unchangeable ; viewing 
Thee in every condition in this life and the one 
to come, then do our hearts rejoice that we can 
" sit at the feet of Jesus" and learn in sweet 
converse with Him of those great, good and 
marvellous things which secure happiness here 
and glory hereafter. O adorable Lord and 
Saviour, at Thy feet, in humble thankfulness, 



We Sit at the Feet of Jesus. 103 

we here dedicate our souls and bodies to Thy 
service ; Thine we are, at Thy feet would we 
be found always ; do with us as in Thine infi- 
nite wisdom Thou seest best, as all might, 
majesty, wisdom, goodness and blessing is with 
Thee, for of ourselves we are unworthy to ask 
any good thing or receive the slightest recogni- 
tion, but through Thy listening ear and out- 
stretched arm, we can and do receive abundant 
blessings. God be praised ! Hear us and save 
for Christ's sake. Amen. 



" Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." v 

ON this Holy Sabbath morning, the one 
day of seven for rest from labor, and 
entire consecration of our souls and bodies to 
Thy service ; in this, the accepted time of our 
life, when blessings abound, when all nature 
testifies in part God's greatness and goodness ; 
here in our quiet homestead, around the family 
altar, with old heads and young hearts, with 
smiling faces and prattling tongues, with peace 
and contentment, with comely apparel and 
life's subsistence, spared from the midnight foe 
and the devouring flame, with the Holy Bible 
for our guide and Thy Holy Spirit as our com- 
forter, sitting at the feet of Jesus in adoring 
wonder, privileged to open our hearts for the 
reception of Thy blessings, surrounded with 
plenty, blessed with health, our reason unim- 
104 



The Holy Sabbath. 105 

paired, the recipients of Thy continued favors, 
we, Thine undeserving, unworthy servants, do 
yield Thee our bodies and souls as a trifling 
sacrifice to Thy loving goodness. Anew we 
offer up our all to Thy service ; our means, our 
time, our talents are here dedicated to Thee ; 
receive them, O God, we beseech Thee, as in 
part they may evidence our appreciation of 
Thy great sacrifice, whereby we are so 
thoroughly privileged with these Thy bless- 
ings. We would bear in constant remembrance 
that this Thy well appointed day, is to be kept 
holy ; and as we particip te in the benefits af- 
forded through the many means of grace with 
which Thou hast blest us, may we realize to 
the good of our souls, that it is a Sabbath day's 
journey toward heaven. As we unite with 
Thy disciples to worship in Thy holy temple. 
may we receive that Divine instruction which 
shall enable us to rejoice that we have been 
with the people of God. Bless all the ordi- 
nances of Thy Zion to the permanent good of 
our souls, and especially may we feel Thv 
presence when participating in the seal of the 
Covenant, the tokens of love, symbols of Thy 



106 Heart- Breathings. 

body and Thy blood, which was shed for us 
on Calvary. O good and suffering Saviour, 
be with us then to bless that commemoration 
to our soul's good, that we may rejoice and be 
glad that we have found acceptance in Thy 
sight. Go with us to the Sabbath-School, and 
as we there endeavor to point the lambs of the 
flock to the fold of Christ, may the seed sown 
in weakness, produce abundant fruit to Thy 
glory ; enable us, good Lord, to give such in- 
structions to the young as shall be to them, now 
and in the future, a lasting and godly benefit. 
We cannot accomplish this, heavenly Father* 
without Thine assistance ; grant, then, we be- 
seech Thee, that as we assume such weighty 
responsibility, it may be with the happy as- 
surance that being thus called, Thou wilt grant 
unto us such learning as shall enable us to 
impart holy truths to them, and our feeble 
efforts redound to the good of Thy church, the 
glory of God, and the conversion of the souls 
of the dear children. May w^e find Thee in 
secret converse, good Lord, with no eye to see, 
save the Holy One of Israel ; may our hearts 
find utterance in earnest, faithful prayer for 



The Holy Sabbath. 107 

strength, ability, confidence and wisdom, that 
through this medium we may be the better 
fitted for the observances of the Holy Sabbath. 
Especially would we pray for the conversion 
of sinners. "Paul may plant, Apollos may 
water, but God only can give the increase." 
Bless, we beseech Thee, the efforts of Thy 
Apostles in explaining the Holy Scriptures to 
the edification, instruction and good of the peo- 
ple ; may they preach with power and zeal, 
withholding neither the promises nor threaten- 
ings of the law, by advice and admonition 
urging those without to find repose close by 
the bleeding side of a crucified Redeemer ; 
may they be the instruments of Thine appoint- 
ing to save sinners from destruction, to 
strengthen the faith of Thy followers, and 
build up Zion in all the corners of the earth, 
until pure and undefiled religion shall be known 
among all nations, and Thy praises sung by 
every tongue. Grant to us, Almighty Saviour, 
a Sabbath day's blessing, so that we may the 
better be prepared for the week day's trials ; 
and finally, may we be participants in the hap- 
piness of a Sabbath day's joys in heaven, 



108 Heart-Breathi?igs. 

which has no end ; grant our supplications, we 
most earnestly beseech Thee, and Thy name 
shall have all the glory, world without end. 
Amen. 



2Tf)e Seam* a*imtt. 

' ; Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this 
prophecy; and keep those things which are written therein; for the 
time is at hand." — Rev. i. 3. 

HAVE we ever given it serious thought 
that we know not the day nor the hour 
when the Son of Man cometh ; when the 
righteous Judge, the Lord God of Hosts, shall 
appear on earth to take with him his elect, to 
transfer the chosen of Israel to the habitations 
of the blest, to welcome into His Father's 
celestial abode the saints of earth — with smiles 
of favor upon the godly and frowns of disap- 
probation upon the wicked — to assort, bless 
and condemn all the inhabitants of the earth: 
" I come, I come," saith the Lord, " to give a 
new birth of happiness to my beloved, and to 
for ever banish from my presence and the 
presence of my Father those who fear me not. 
and keep not my commandments." Oh ! what 
10 109 



no He a rt-Brea things . 

rejoicing for the redeemed ! What weeping, 
wailing and gnashing of teeth for the unregen- 
erated ! Joy and gladness and the song of 
thanksgiving from God's followers to the 
Lord's Anointed, making all nature melodius 
with rejoicings, whilst the moans of the 
wicked at the just judgments of an offended 
God, assures their condemnation already 
sealed. Oh, happy thought ! of being then 
and there transplanted, to be amongst the 
choicest exotics of the Garden of heaven, to 
bask in the sunshine of everlasting love ; to 
drink in continual blessings from the pure 
Fountain of inexhaustible happiness ; to see 
our Divine Master in His majestic glory, sur- 
rounded by those loved ones for whom we 
sorrowed on earth ; to participate with them in 
the glorious reality of never-ending joys ; tears 
of joy and happiness inexpressible, to embrace 
with transport those kindred ties, which, 
though absent, have not been forgotten. Here 
united, with heaven for our inheritance and 
God our King, we will, through the countless 
ages of eternity ascribe unceasing praises and 
grateful adoration to our Father and to our 



The Second Advent. ill 

Elder Brother, Priest and King, who died that 
we might live, and now grants unto us " an 
house not made with hands, eternal in the 
heavens. " Oh, fearful thought! that if at His 
coming we are found wanting, our portion will 
be with those who reject God — cast off for ever 
from the mercy, love and goodness of our 
Saviour — our condemnation justly apportioned 
to our deserts ; miserable, dejected outcasts, 
consigned to perdition ; shut out from the glory 
of God and the light of His countenance ; de- 
barred association, save with uncongenial 
spirits ; our day of grace for ever past ; no 
mercy but justice now ; cut down as an unpro- 
ductive tree, yielding bitterness and contami- 
nation ; lost, for ever lost ! Oh ! horrible, horri- 
ble contemplation. Spare us, good Lord, from 
Thy righteous indignation ; bless us with the 
happy assurance, that not with the wicked, but 
with Thy followers we shall appear at Thy sec- 
ond coming ; not as outcasts, but as Thy beloved 
children, with whom Thou art well pleased 
Appreciating Thy goodness now, participating 
in Thy grace and mercy, may we be so fitted 
for every good word and work, that, if privi- 



112 Hea rt-Breathings. 

leged to see Thee on this earth, we may re- 
ceive Thee as belonging to Thy family and re- 
ceive Thy welcome, as " good and faithful 
servants ;" all of which we beg for Christ's 
sake. Amen. 



.arrange* from tfje 32* an* 33* psalms. 

BLESSED be Thy holy name. O Lord God 
of Israel, that Thou hast forgiven our 
transgressions and covered our sins. 

Blessed be Thy holy name, our great Creator, 
that Thou dost not impute to us iniquity, nor 
accuse us in spirit of guile. 

When we have kept silent before Thee our 
bones have waxed old through roaring all the 
day long. 

For dav and ni^ht Thv hand has been heavy 
upon us : our moisture is turned into the drought 
of summer. 

We have acknowledged our sins unto Thee, 
and our iniquities have we not hid : we confess 
our transgressions to the Lord, and He forgives 
the iniquity of our sins. 

Teach us to pray unto Thee at a time when 
10* 113 



114 Heart-Breathings. 

Thou mayst be found ; surely in the floods of 
great waters we cannot come nigh unto Thee. 

Thou art our hiding-place ; Thou wilt pre- 
serve us from trouble ; Thou wilt compass us 
about with songs of deliverance ; Thou wilt 
instruct us and teach us in the way we should 
go ; Thou wilt guide us with Thine eye. 

May we not be as the horse, or as the mule 
which have not understanding, whose mouth 
must be held with the bit and the bridle, lest 
they come near unto us. 

Many sorrows are to the wicked, but to them 
that trust the Lord mercy shall compass them 
about. 

May we be glad in the Lord, and rejoice 
with righteousness, shouting for joy, and be 
always upright in heart. 

The righteous do rejoice in the Lord, for 
praise is comely for the upright. 

We praise Thee with the harp and sing unto 
Thee with the psaltery and an instrument of 
ten strings. 

We sing unto Thee a new song, playing 
skilfully with a loud noise in many praises. 



Arrangement from xxxli. and xxxiii. Psalms. 115 

Thy word. O Lord, is right, and all Thy 
works are done in truth. 

Thou lovest righteousness and judgment; 
the earth is full of Thy goodness. 

By Thy word were the heavens made, and 
all the host of them by the breath of Thy 
mouth. 

Thou gatherest the waters of the sea to- 
gether as an heap, Thou layest up the depth in 
store-houses. 

Let all the earth fear then, O Lord ; let all 
the inhabitants thereof stand in awe of Thee. 

Thou speakest and it is done, Thou com- 
mandest and it stands fast. 

Thou makest the devices of the enemy of no 
effect ; Thou bringest evil counsels to naught, 
Thy counsels endure for ever, Thy commands 
to all generations. 

Blessed are they whose God is the Lord, and 
that people whom He hath chosen for His own 
inheritance. 

The Lord looketh down from heaven, He 
beholdeth us continually. 

He fashioneth all things, He considereth all 
our works. 



n6 Heart-Breathings. 

Behold Thine eye is upon them that fear 
Thee, upon them that hope in mercy, to deliver 
their souls from death and to save them from 
destruction. 

Our souls wait for Thee, Thou art our help 
and our shield. 

Our hearts rejoice in Thee, as we trust in 
Thy holy name. 

Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, accord- 
ing as we hope in Thee. Amen. 



£f)t (Commatttnnents- 

" Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter ; fear God and keep 
His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man/' 

GOD spake these words, and said : I am 
the Lord thy God : Thou shalt have none 
other gods but me. 

Family. Lord, have mercy upon us, and 
incline our hearts to keep this law. 

Thou shalt not make to thyself anv graven 
image, nor the likeness of anything that is in 
heaven above, or in the earth beneath, or in the 
water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow 
down to them, nor worship them ; for I the 
Lord thy God am a jealous God, and visit the 
sins of the fathers upon the children, unto the 
third and fourth generation of them that hate 
me ; and show mercy unto thousands of them 
that love me. and keep my commandments. 

117 



n 8 He a rt-Brea th ings . 

Family. Lord, have mercy upon us, and 
incline our hearts to keep this law. 

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord 
thy God in vain : for the Lord will not hold 
him guiltless that taketh His name in vain. 

Family. Lord, have mercy upon us, and 
incline our hearts to keep this law. 

Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath- 
day. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thou 
hast to do ; but the seventh day is the Sabbath 
of the Lord thy God. In it thou shalt do no 
manner of work ; thou, and thy son, and thy 
daughter, thy man-servant, and thy maid- 
servant, thy cattle, and the stranger that is 
within thy gates. For in six days the Lord 
made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in 
them is, and rested the seventh day : wherefore 
the Lord blessed the seventh day, and hal- 
lowed it. 

Family. Lord, have mercy upon us, and 
incline our hearts to keep this law. 

Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy 
days may be long in the land which the Lord 
thy God giveth thee. 



Tk e Com m a ?i dm cuts. 119 

Family. Lord, have mercy upon us, and 
incline our hearts to keep this law. 
• Thou shalt do no murder. 

Family. Lord, have mercy upon us, and 
incline our hearts to keep this law. 

Thou shalt not commit adultery. 

Family. Lord, have mercy upon us, and 
incline our hearts to keep this law. 

Thou shalt not steal. 

Family. Lord, have mercy upon us, and 
incline our hearts to keep this law. 

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy 
neighbor. 

Fa7nily. Lord, have mercy upon us, and 
incline our hearts to keep this law. 

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, 
thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor 
his servant, nor his maid, nor his ox, nor his 
ass, nor any thing that is his. 

Family. Lord, have mercy upon us, and 
write all these, Thy laws, in our hearts, we be- 
seech Thee. 



1 20 Heart- Breath ings . 



a General (RonUmon. 

ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father, 
we have erred and strayed from Thy 
ways like lost sheep ; we have followed too 
much the devices and desires of our own 
hearts ; we have offended against Thy holy 
laws ; we have left undone those things which 
we ought to have done, and we have done 
those things which we ought not to have done ; 
and there is no health in us. But Thou, O 
Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders ; 
spare Thou those, O God, who confess their 
faults ; restore Thou those who are penitent, 
according to Thy promises declared unto man- 
kind in Christ Jesus our Lord ; and grant, O 
most merciful Father, for His sake, that we 
may hereafter live a godly, righteous and sober 
life, to the glory of Thy holy name. Amen. 



The Apostles' Creed and Lord's Prayer. 121 

W§t apostle^ (Kurt. 

I BELIEVE in God, the Father Almighty, 
maker of heaven and earth : 

And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord ; 
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born 
of the Virgin Mary; suffered under 'Pontius 
Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried ; He 
descended into hell, the third day He rose from 
the dead ; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth 
on the right hand of God the Father Almighty ; 
from thence He shall come to judge the quick 
and the dead. 

I believe in the Holy Ghost ; the holy Cath- 
olic Church, the Communion of Saints ; the 
forgiveness of sins ; the resurrection of the 
body ; and the life everlasting. Amen. 



W§t 3Lart>'g draper, 

OUR Father, who art in heaven, hallowed 
be Thy name ; Thy kingdom come ; 
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven ; 
11 



122 Heart- Breathings, 

give us this day our daily bread, and forgive 
us our trespasses as we forgive those that tres- 
pass against us ; and lead us not into tempta- 
tion, but deliver us from evil ; for Thine is the 
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for 
ever and ever. Amen. 



2 (EormtStans xiii. 14. 

THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and 
the love of God, and the fellowship of 
the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. 
Amen. 



JFinaL 

LORD Jesus, grant that the humble efforts 
of Thy unworthy servant to advance the 
interests of Thy kingdom on earth, and to 
make pure and undenled religion a constant 
companion, may be so crowned with Thy bless- 
ings as to secure" the soul's desire" for the 
safety, welfare and happiness of the home circle 
here, and their everlasting peace hereafter. 
I pray for these blessings, Lord Jesus, not from 
any merit or goodness of my own, but in faith 
believing Thy precious promises, and in firm 
reliance upon Thy intercession. 

Grant my " soul's desire," O Heavenly Fa- 
ther, I beg for Christ's sake. Amen. 

123 



